Marius Ritiu

Marius Ritiu is a Romanian-born, Antwerp-based artist whose monumental sculptures connect earthly materials with cosmic narratives. Through his practice, he reflects on migration, borders and collective memory, creating works that are at once rooted in tradition and open to universal questions. 

Type

Sculptor, explorer of myths and universal narratives

Synopsis

Born in Transylvania in 1984, Ritiu studied at the University of Art and Design in Cluj-Napoca before moving to Antwerp, Belgium. There, he co-founded the artist duo M&MR before developing his solo career. His works have been exhibited internationally, and he is today recognized for his large-scale installations that merge cultural heritage with contemporary concerns. 

For Marius Ritiu, art is a tool to reframe how we see our place in the world. By combining myth, science and everyday culture, he creates pieces that question identity, memory and belonging. 

  • Cosmic perspective: earthly matter is transformed into symbols of universal narratives. 

  • Memory and identity: his works address the experience of migration and displacement. 

  • Scale and transformation: small details become monumental, inviting reflection on perception.

Ritiu is known for his mastery of copper, which he hammers by hand into large, textured surfaces. The metal, historically associated with both currency and craft, becomes in his hands a medium for alchemy, transforming the familiar into the extraordinary. His practice often involves monumental scale, inviting viewers to step into another dimension of time and meaning. 

The following pieces by Marius Ritiu are available exclusively through Soleille Gallery. Each embodies his exploration of myth, material and memory.