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Tuan Nini Artist Statement

Tuan Nini is a visual artist working across diverse mediums, creating illustration, comics, and animation. Her work as an illustrator has been recognized by Romanian Design Week and the Society of Illustrators in New York, and as an animation director, by Pictoplasma Berlin. She is constantly evolving in terms of medium and style, but her core passion remains visual communication. She aims for the work she chooses to share with the world to bring something positive to the viewer.

This intention drives her approach, especially when creating art for public events such as the Power of Storytelling conference, Animest International Animation Film Festival, and, more recently, Maratonul Internațional Sibiu—specifically in the form of PoArta, the start and end gates of the marathon, erected in the central square.

Beyond creating art as a form of hopeful and optimistic self-expression, she also hopes that the colorful and diverse characters in her illustrations will bring joy to passersby and continue to reveal little details to observant viewers throughout the week, during which PoArta “lives” among the people of Sibiu.

Tuan Nini Testimonial

It’s an incredible honor to have been given the chance to be part of something as meaningful as the Maratonul Internațional Sibiu. The 14th edition is a particularly unique one—not marked by a statement or instruction, as is typical for themes or slogans, but by a question: “Cine suntem noi?” (“Who are we?”)

This question invites reflection. It encourages the public to pause and consider the scene around them during the marathon—where people from all walks of life come together, whether as runners or in the many essential roles that help the event run smoothly. It’s a moment when the city comes alive, welcoming thousands of guests from diverse backgrounds.

The marathon is also a celebration, and I wanted to capture that energy and sense of plurality in the artwork I created for PoArta. I felt incredibly fortunate to have the support and trust of the curator and organizing team, who gave me the opportunity to contribute my work to a prominent symbol of the event: the Start and Finish gates of this national landmark.

Sibiu is celebrating its people and its guests, united by a common cause. I’m proud to be part of the welcoming party—through the artwork now displayed in the heart of Sibiu’s central square for the duration of the marathon week.

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Artist: Tuan Nini

Curator: Iris Ordean

Partners: Fundația Comunitară Sibiu, Centrul Cultural German Sibiu

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Romania