Oana Gavrila

Oana Diana Gavrila, a London-based artist, discovered painting in her late 30’s and, without any formal training, managed to find her own inimitable style by creating unique abstract-figurative art.

It all started a couple of years ago, when after a struggle with depression, she picked up the pencil and painting brush at the recommendation of her doctor and started sketching family and friends.

Oana is an abstract figurative artist who incorporates strong graphic elements in her work. Her expressive mixed media works combine acrylics, oil, imitation gold leaf, paint markers and paper all applied in an equally diverse manner using brushes, fingers, paint rollers and paper to create expressive and striking imagery.

Her unique style can be recognised from the combination of natural flowing lines with harsh diagonals, clean crisp areas of colour with layered messy paint and cut out paper. The finished works are a mix of modern and almost futuristic look, whilst still managing to retain a raw traditional aesthetic. She is influenced and inspired by diverse sources including; fashion, pop art, cubism, art nouveau, modernism and constructivism all pulled together to create stylised works.

Born and raised in a small city in the south of Romania, she studied foreign languages and found herself always choosing jobs that had a strong element customer service.
“I always loved working with people, to connect with them and listen to their stories. Working as a flight attendant gave me the opportunity to meet so many different and wonderful people. Therefore, I think it’s no coincidence that I love drawing people because I just love human beings!”

Group Exhibition at Crystal Palace AAF Nov 2019, London
Online exhibition with CPexhibit12 Dec 2020
Group exhibition at Bickerton Grace Gallery , “Sentiment” Collection, London, May 2021