Valeriu Boborelu (“Bobo”)(b. 1941). A Romanian American artist based in Queens, New York.
The artist is recognized for his spiritually charged paintings that blend abstraction, symbolism, and influences from Romanian folk traditions. His work explores themes of human consciousness, metaphysical duality, and the interplay between physical and spiritual realms.
Early Life and Education
Born in Bucharest, Romania, Boborelu studied at the Nicolae Grigorescu Academy of Fine Arts, earning an MFA in 1965 under the mentorship of renowned painter Gheorghe Saru.
He later became Chair of Painting at the Academy, teaching composition and drawing until 1982. During this period, he traveled extensively across Europe, studying art in Italy, France, and Russia, which deepened his engagement with both classical and modernist traditions.
In 1983, Boborelu emigrated to the U.S.A., settling in Kew Gardens, Queens, where he continues to live and work.
Artistic Style and Themes
Boborelu’s paintings are characterized by luminous, semi-abstract human figures emerging from dark, cosmic backgrounds.
His works often feature geometric patterns, vertical and spiral motifs, and a restrained color palette dominated by deep blues, grays, and pearlescent whites. These elements evoke a sense of “chromatic vertigo,” merging ancestral silhouettes with meditative abstraction.
Key themes in his art include:
– Spiritual Bodies of Light: Inspired by Buddhist and esoteric teachings, his figures symbolize wisdom, compassion, and the “subtle inner-nature” of human consciousness. Works like Figure of White Appearance and Clear Light Being reference stages of mental transformation and the Buddhist concept of Dharmakaya (the ultimate nature of mind).
– Ancestral Heritage: Influenced by Romanian folk art, such as Oltenia rugs and Moldavian ceramics, his compositions echo the rhythmic patterns and symbolic motifs of Eastern European traditions.
– Cosmic Interconnectedness: Paintings like Mandala of Transformation and Resurrection visualize the continuity of existence, drawing parallels between life, death, and rebirth through layered geometric forms.
Notable Works, Exhibitions and Collectors
Boborelu’s œuvre spans over five decades, with exhibitions across Europe and the U.S. Key works include:
– Phthalo Blue Celestial Meditation (acrylic on canvas, 28” x 28”)
– Aquarius Age Being (homage to astrological eras and societal transformation)
– Yellow Deity and Red Deity (vivid explorations of complementary color contrasts).
He has held solo shows at galleries in Bucharest, Paris’ Salon D’Automne, and New York City venues such as Gallery RIVVA on Roosevelt Island and the East-West Gallery at the Romanian Cultural Center.
His group exhibitions include the Biennial Drawing Exhibition in Paris and shows at Washington D.C.’s Alex Gallery.
Several of his works are owned by The James Jay Dudley Luce Foundation of New York City.
Philosophy and Influence
Boborelu views art as a conduit for spiritual revelation, stating: “Color is a vehicle to penetrate the Superior Planes of Consciousness… Art is the aesthetic manifestation of human beings, sending inner vibrations to other souls.”
His integration of Eastern philosophy and Romanian iconography has positioned him as a bridge between European modernism and transcendental art practices.
Personal Life and Legacy
A dedicated advocate for spiritual and artistic exploration, Boborelu often incorporates meditative practices into his creative process. He resides in Queens with his family and remains active in New York’s multicultural art scene. His works are held in private collections and institutions worldwide, cementing his legacy as a visionary of metaphysical abstraction.
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