Words are her primary medium, often paired with delicate drawings, photographic collages and spontaneous-looking sketches that carry a raw, poetic energy. Her compositions feel like visual diary entries, where personal thoughts and feelings unfold without filters, inviting the audience into her inner world.

Lucia’s strength lies in her ability to turn fragility into power. She doesn’t aim to please but to communicate, to provoke and to reveal. In a creative landscape that often leans toward polished aesthetics, her work resonates through its authenticity and emotional clarity, especially with a generation that values vulnerability over perfection. This is why we asked her today more about what she feels, her work and her own perspective on her art.

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

For me, it’s all about community and human connection. That’s really the core of my art and how I live my life. I love building real relationships, it fills me up and gives me a sense of purpose. Connecting with people just feels right, and it’s what keeps me creative.

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

I’ll share two stories; one’s just a simple one, and the other’s about a decision that really shaped my art journey.

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been really creative, like most of us are at that age. I used to draw for all kinds of contests at my small town school, and at one of them, I won an USB  stick that I still have today. I actually used it for my master’s degree project, and it felt like a full circle moment.

For a long time, I never thought I’d pursue an artistic career. But everything changed after I lived in Belgium for a year with my parents. When we moved back to Romania, I had to pick a high school halfway through the school year. I had no idea what I wanted or what would suit me, but I knew for sure I’d get into art school. The plan was to transfer later to something else more "suitable"... but I forgot about that plan and just kept going. And somehow art chosed me.

3. BEST CONTEXT EVER FOR INSPIRATION WAS

The best context for inspiration was the year I stopped dating. I focused on myself, reevaluating how I view human relationships. I wasn’t in love, and I wasn’t heartbroken, I was neutral just observing and studying all my past relationship behaviours that ’ve documented in my notes and writings over time. It was all part of the research for my master’s degree, which explored repressed strong emotions like anger and frustration and repressed sexuality as a woman.

4. THE PROJECT YOU LOVED MOST

All of my personal projects are a part of me and each one tells a different story. But lately, I’ve felt especially connected to a collaboration I did with candle-me.ro. We created a mini-series of two candles, each paired with a short text I wrote. The label design was made by me and the scents and the candle jar were thinked by Alin, the founder of candle-me.ro.

What I loved most about this collaboration was how creative the whole process was. We developed both the candle concepts and the visuals for social media together, including filming and editing the promo videos.

But the most important part is that I made a real friend through this project. I love to create bonds with people I collaborate with.    

5. THE PROJECT OTHERS LOVED MOST

The project that resonated most with others was the series of simple texts. You don’t need to know anything about art or have a trained eye to understand or connect with them. They’re made up of short phrases, sometimes a playful word game, sometimes containing double meanings.

For example, “abia (te) aștept” in Romanian means “I can’t wait,” but when you add “te” it becomes “I can’t wait for you.” Or “mă/te caut,” which can mean either “I’m searching for myself” or “I’m searching for you.”

6. THE BEST THING ABOUT ROMANIAN CREATIVITY IS

The authenticity and the diversity of it. I see Romanian artists as a source of good art with them exploring all kinds of mediums, techniques combined and different artistic directions. I feel lucky to be part of this creative world and to know so many talented people. We constantly collaborate, inspire and support each other.. From photographers, fashion designers, graphic artists, sculptors, etc.

7. BEST STATEMENT OF ROMANIAN HUMOR

Romanian humor is very unique, I can't express myself and be funnier in other languages as I do in Romanian. We have this natural way of turning even the toughest situations into something we can laugh about. It’s how we cope, how we connect. I would love to explain some jokes but unfortunately it will not be funny anymore.

8. ADVICE FOR INTERNATIONAL HEADHUNTERS, RELATED TO ROMANIAN CREATIVES

Romanian artists have a tough time, promoting yourself and getting noticed is really hard. You need to be very active and participate in lots of events.

If you’re a headhunter or someone looking for artists in Romania, my advice is to start by visiting gallery exhibitions and the exhibitions at the National University of Arts in Bucharest. You can go in winter or summer, especially at the end of each semester when the studios open their doors. It’s a great chance to discover a variety of artists.

If you’re looking for active artists that are already known, check out galleries with cool exhibition spaces like Scena9, Pharmakon, Mobius Gallery, SUPRAINFINIT Gallery, Galateca, The Sandwich Gallery, Amzei Creative Corner, and more.

9. BEST PLACE IN BUCHAREST

What I love most about Bucharest are the small local bars filled with artists.. and of course, Cișmigiu Park. It’s close to the National University of Arts, where I studied, and I love going there to chill on a blanket. It’s the perfect spot for a date or for the start of a night out.

10. BEST PLACE IN YOUR COUNTRY

Here in Romania, you can find all kinds of places depending on what you're looking for. There’s a lot of beautiful nature, tourist spots with castles besides the Dracula one, and traditional villages full of charm. But there’s also a vibrant cultural scene especially in bigger cities.

I’m currently living in Bucharest, which is full of energy. It’s a great place for artists, with a creative community that’s constantly collaborating and pushing ideas forward. But what i like the most is the nightlife, nowhere is better than here.

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

Romania is often associated with poverty and backwardness. And while those things do exist here just like in any other country they don’t define us. That was the perception people had when I was living in Spain and Belgium because my family didn’t have a good financial situation, either.

The reality is that the people who are poor in Romania are really poor and It’s true that it’s hard to make a good living here but not impossible. Those who manage to do it often choose to stay but can’t sustain themselves here and are forced to look for a better life elsewhere.

And when you actually come here, you realize how wrong the perception is. You’ll find beautiful cities, rich culture, amazing food, great music, and genuinely amazing people.

12. ROMANIA SHOULD BE KNOWN FOR

Romania should be known for their cultural events and art community. There are various dynamic festivals, innovative contemporary artists, and a growing network of galleries, theaters, and creative spaces.

13. YOUR VIEWS ON SPIRITUALITY

I believe in something bigger than ourselves but more on an energy level and I strongly believe in karma, in the idea that the energy you put out into the world eventually comes back to you in some way.

14. YOUR VIEWS ON MONEY

I see money as something that comes over time in relation to my art. From the start of each personal project or collaboration, I don’t start by thinking about money, I just focus on the concept and the process. I truly believe that if the work is honest and if it is good enough, the money will follow.

But even as an artist, I need financial stability, which means having a steady job. I can’t create freely if I’m under constant financial pressure. Until last year, I worked as a freelancer, and it was exhausting, struggling month to month took out the creativity in me. Now, I feel better mentally because I don’t have to worry about rent or food, and I can focus more on my art.

Still..those challenges pushed me to overcome myself and made me braver. I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be where I am today if I had financial stability my whole life. Sometimes, the struggle is part of the journey to see if you are dedicated enough and to see if you want it for real.

15. AN INSPIRATION SOURCE YOU RECOMMEND FOR A YOUNG CREATIVE

My number one source of inspiration which I also recommend to others is experimenting a lot and combining things you never thought would fit together. Your passions, hobbies and personal experiences can develop really cool and creative concepts especially if they don't relate to each other at first sight. Maybe you like to do instalations and you really love nature and you try to combine these  things together. Or maybe you like metallic objects and painting. It's important to experience things and feelings as well.

But inspiration can come in many forms. It doesn't have to be art, you just need to be attentive to your surroundings and personal experiences.

BIO

Lucia Moțoc is a graduate student at UNArte, a graphic designer and an illustrator whose work stands out through a deeply personal and emotionally resonant style. Her art explores inner conflicts, emotional vulnerability and social tensions, some controversial, others instantly relatable creating a space of honest reflection and connection with the viewer.