An exquisite breed of talents, Felicia Simion has the gift of a fresh perspective simultaneously relating on a deep-deep level within her audience’ soul. Poetess, mother, anthropologist, conceptual artist and photographer, she is offering escapes into something we might very well call “near reality”, bringing to surface thought-provoking worlds, otherwise to be missed. There is no wonder, while only in her 30ties, she became the recipient of Sony World Photography Awards, ND Awards, International Women Photographers Award, Paris Prix de la Photographie, Festival Planche(s) Contact Deauville, Saatchi Selfie, D&AD Next Photographer Award and Travel Photographer of the Year. Announcing recently her reignited interest for documentary photography, Felicia is ready to embark on collaborative adventures alongside brands, cultural initiatives and publications interested in the journey, into asking the right questions and ready to receive honest visual answers, beyond the artificial and its potential agenda.  

1. WHAT WOULD MAKE YOUR SOUL SING? WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY?

Being in nature. Raw, untouched, wild nature. Allowing life to come to me, rather than having myself move towards it. 

2. A CHILDHOOD STORY THAT ANNOUNCED THE CREATIVE PERSON YOU ARE TODAY 

   
   I was 13 when I experienced some kind of “epiphany”. I woke up one morning, went to the kitchen where my parents were drinking their coffee, and shouted: I know what I want to do with my life! I am going to be a photographer! 17 years later, I’m still doing it.

3. BEST CONTEXT EVER FOR INSPIRATION WAS

   
   

All the places I went. The outside world, the natural landscapes it embodies. South America. Iceland. Normandy. Rural Romania. 

4. THE PROJECT YOU LOVED MOST

Tough one. Could be “ethnographies”, an ongoing project of documenting customs and traditions around Romania, or even “A whirlwind came out of the north”, a short film completed in Iceland, in the search for Aurora.

5. THE PROJECT OTHERS LOVED MOST

I think that would rather be my fine art work, instead of the documentary one. People tend to fall in love with my surreal projects, such as “Alternative selves”, where I explore my identity / identities. 

6.THE BEST THING ABOUT LOCAL CREATIVITY IS

It’s always new, always shifting, always surprising. I think Romanian artists have so much to tell. I just wish we had more courage to make our voices heard.

7. BEST STATEMENT OF LOCAL HUMOR

I’m not sure if it’s humor or not, but I heard it once in Maramureș from an 80+ y.o. villager, who told me: „Ce-a hi a hi” (“Ce-o fi o fi” – “Whatever will be, will be”), and I believe it embodies the so-called “Romanian” spirit so well.

8. ADVICE FOR INTERNATIONAL HEADHUNTERS, RELATED TO LOCAL CREATIVES

Hunt deep, that’s where you’ll find treasures. Be bold, dare to work with the “outcasts”. 

9.BEST PLACE IN BUCHAREST

Not sure if the “best”, but for me it surely has an emotional value – the sunset view on Lake Tineretului from Tineretului Park, which becomes a “derdeluș” for sleigh rides during winters, reminding me of my childhood in the countryside, and the loveliest picnic or relaxation spot during summers.

10. BEST PLACE IN ROMANIA:

Right now, anywhere in the mountains. That’s where I feel at home.

11. MOST DISTURBING CLICHÉ ABOUT YOUR COUNTRY, IN THE MEDIA OUTLETS OF THE WORLD IS

I guess the notion of being a “retrograde” country, in general, one that can’t keep up with contemporaneity, one that doesn’t allow change or “progress” whatsoever.

12. ROMANIA SHOULD BE KNOWN FOR

Its people. In the most unexpected places, I found kindness, humbleness and love.

13. YOUR VIEWS ON SPIRITUALITY

I cannot separate spirit from body/mind. It’s never been clearer to me that I am infinitely more than what is seen or perceived by the senses.

14. YOUR VIEWS ON MONEY

“'Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God”.

15. AN INSPIRATION SOURCE YOU RECOMMEND FOR A YOUNG CREATIVE (A BOOK, A DESTINATION, A MOVIE, FOLLOWING SOMEONE RELEVANT ON SOCIAL-MEDIA)

I would recommend The Marginalian blog, as a constant source of inspiration.

16. A LOCAL BASED FEMALE TALENT THAT DESERVES TO BE PROMOTED AT INTERNATIONAL LEVEL, AS EXPONENT OF LOCAL CREATIVE SPIRIT

Corina Sirghi, for her realness and freedom. 

Note:

Felicia's photos have been featured in publications such as M le Mag, Le Temps, The New York Times, Der Spiegel, Vogue Portugal, The Guardian. To discover where her international journey evolves next, on her website: FeliciaSimionPhotography.com.