Catalin Trifan is an artist working across painting, photography, video, and installation. Before turning fully to art, he devoted over a decade in Geosciences, an experience that continues to shape his fascination with textures, layers, and the geological forces.
Catalin approaches painting as an intuitive process allowing emotion and gesture to lead the way. He often incorporates found materials—such as discarded linoleum, leftover house paint, or found visuals—which bring their own histories into the work. These elements transform each piece into a layered meeting point of chance, memory, and material.
Stemming from lived experiences and the subconscious, his works create a visual language of layered imagery and gestures that reflects both the fragility of memory and the exploration of the imagination. His paintings often blur the line between figuration and abstraction and creates open narratives for the viewer to interpret.
exhibitions
11. 2025/03.2026 - Wednesday Trash @ The Wrong Biennale (Online)
11. 2025 - Si.Si.Spex.#15 group exhibition DOGtime 4 & 5 @ Rietveld Academie, Amsterdam
06. 2025 - DOGtime 3 group exhibition @ De Sering, Amsterdam
12. 2024 - DOGtime 3 group exhibition @ Broedplaats Bogota, Halfweg
Catalin is currently enrolled in the 4th year of the DOGtime Expanded Painting programme at the Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Thank you!