Șerban Savu

Șerban Savu is a Romanian contemporary painter associated with the so-called Cluj School. His figurative works depict everyday life in post socialist Romania, often focusing on moments between labour and leisure. Drawing on traditions of Socialist and historical Realism, his paintings present ambiguous scenes in which social, political and spatial conditions quietly surface. His recent work expands this approach into spatial models, extending his interest in collective environments and lived experience.

For the 2026 edition he also collaborates with Cristian Rusu, a scenographer and visual artist who works across installation, exhibition design and collaborative projects. His work often engages with spatial narratives and processes of transformation, operating between artistic practice and scenographic construction.