About Marinela Rusu

Biographical data:

Born on August 18, 1962, in Iasi, Romania. She was married in Greece and currently lives in Romania.

Marinela Rusu graduated from:

• Faculty of Visual Arts and Design, “George Enescu” National University of Art from Iasi, Romania
• Faculty of Psychology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University from Iasi.
• She has held a PhD in Psychology since 1999
• Since 1990, she has worked as a scientific researcher at the Romanian Academy, Iași Branch, “Gh. Zane” Institute.

She has a prolific career in the arts and is:

• full member of the Union of Visual Artists from Romania, Iași Branch.
• member of the Association of Artists and Visual Arts of the Pieria region, Greece
• member of the Circle Foundation for Artists, Lyon, France.
• member of the international arts and culture organization ART GENESIS, Athens, Greece.
• 2015 – Prize of the Ministry of Education and Cults in Athens, Greece – collaboration on the Erasmus International Project (theme: Art Intervention in Education), with the title: “Portraits and emotions”.

A hallmark of her artistic career is her close collaboration with artists from Greece, in organizing group exhibitions in Greece and Romania:

• The International Art Project ”Belt of Friendship, Peace and Love” – the 2017 editions – Naousa, Greece and 2026 – Braunstein Palace, Iasi, Romania,
• Pan-European Exhibition „Dreams of color” – 2026, Evia, Greece, together with ART GENESIS, art and cultural organization from Athens.
• Pan-European Exhibition „Festival of Arts” – 2026, Nea Smyrni, Athens, together with ART GENESIS – Greece.
• International exhibition ”Art Genesis” – Oct. 2026, Athens, Greece.

She has held more than 30 solo exhibitions in Romania and Greece and has participated in more than 80 group exhibitions in Romania and abroad:

• Romania – Iași, Bucharest, Cluj, Piatra Neamț, Buzău, Galati, Botoșani, Huși
• Greece – Athens, Katerini, Veria, Korintho, Kiatos, Paralia, Korinou, Rethymno – Crete, Evia
• Italy – Rome, Vibo Valencia, Florence, Milan
• Germany – Maintal
• Netherlands – Eindhoven
• Austria – Moosburg
• Switzerland – Lausanne
• France – Lyon
• South Korea – Geoje
• Republic of Moldova – Cahul.

Her paintings have been published in numerous collective art volumes in Romania and abroad. Marinela Rusu is also the editor and coordinator of several national and international art volumes. 

• ”Streams of color”, coord. Marinela Rusu, Ed. Printhaus, Iasi, 2026, p. 7
• ”Belt of Friendship, Peace and Love”, coord. Marinela Rusu, Ed. Printhaus, Iasi, 2026, p. 45
• ”Art in the Alba Carolina Citadel” Alba-Iulia, coordinated by Marinela Rusu and Ofelia Huțul, Ed. PIM, Iasi, 2022, p. 19
• ”Art Star”, Lyon, France, 2025/2026, p. 27
• ”Biancoscuro – Real and Virtual Gallery”, International art volume, Milan, Italy, 2022, p. 164-165. https://indd.adobe.com/…/d32240d8-9412-4c7e-a58c…
• ”Enciclopedia dei Contemporanei dell’Arte”, Biographical page in the international volume ”Collezione delle tendenze artistiche”, 2022, Ad Art, Italy, p. 46. https://www.e-bousquet.com/revue-de-presse/livres-et-guides/enciclopedia-dei-contemporanei-dell-arte-2022-1465.htm – Art Eliora Bousquet (e-bousquet.com)
• ”Enciclopedia dei Contemporanei dell’Arte”, Collezione delle tendenze artistiche, Ad Art, Italy, p. 62, 2021
• ”Art Collection online”, Gallery Rossocinabro, april-aug. 2020 p. 54.
• ”Pagine D’Arte”, Italy, 2018, p.51.
• ”Catalogo degli Artisti Contemporanei”, Associazione Culturale Ad-Art, Italy, 2017, p. 32.
• ”Indirizzo D’Arte” – Paolo Pellegrino (art critic), Ed. Accademia Santa Sara, Italy, 2017, p. 108.
• ”Children at Play”, Greece, Mouseiou Ellinikis Paidikis Tehnis, 2nd edition, November, Athens, Greece, 2015, p. 15,  http://5dimdafnis.att.sch.gr
• ”Children at Play”, Greece, Mouseiou Melina Merkouri, edition I, March, Athens, Greece, 2015, p. 12, 29, http://5dim-dafnis.att.sch.gr
• ,,ARTIS”, Ed. PIM, Iasi, 2020 – 2026  www.uapriasi.ro
• “Dragobete Art.Ro”, Ed. PIM, Iasi, 2022, p. 96,
• “Portrait and self-portrait”, Ed. PIM, Iasi, 2022, p. 72.
• “Six—six! Take it home!” Ed. PIM, Iasi, 2022, p. 32.
• “The Path of Suffering”, Ed. Spiru Haret, Iasi, June, 2021, p. 46.
• ”Ladies’ Quartet”, 6th edition, Ed. Spiru Haret, Iasi, 2021, p. 62.
• “Portrait and self-portrait”, 3rd edition, Ed. Spiru Haret, Iasi, 2021, p. 53.
• ”Dragobete Art.Ro”, Ed. Spiru Haret, Iasi, 2021, p. 43.  (and many more)

As a recognition of the value of her creations, the artist Marinela Rusu received numerous important awards and distinctions, nationally and internationally, among which:

• First Critics’ Prize and
• Second Galleries’ Prize, at the International Contemporary Art Competition, Ed. 32, Milan, Italy and
• the Bronze Award, within the art competition “Five Golden Stars”, Eindhoven, Holland, 2012.
• In the year 2026, in recognition of her prolific artistic activity, Marinela Rusu received the Medal and  Honorary Diploma – For her contribution to the promotion of art and culture, from the international organization of art and culture ART GENESIS, Athens, Greece.

She is well known in the Romanian and international media through articles about her work and her activity as an organizer, as well as through numerous televised appearances (TVR Iași, TeleM Iași, TV Apolonia, Iași, TV “Orient Românesc” – online stream).

Art critic Angello RIBEZZI writes about the artist Marinela Rusu:

“Marinela Rusu is a well-known Romanian artist, her artistic creations are extraordinary chromatic explosions – of warm and cold colors – the use of purple and blue being one of her recognizable characteristics, as well as the stylization of the forms and subjects represented. The artistic evolution of Marinela Rusu was definitely influenced by the studies carried out in the field of psychology, her works are introspective and exploratory, deep and touch on complex issues”. (“Enciclopedia dei Contemporanei dell’Arte”, 2022).

Private collections of her paintings can be found in: Romania, Greece, France, USA, Germany, Italy.

The numerous awards obtained over the years (over 40 national and international awards, excellence and honorary diplomas) confirm the value of the artist’s creations (photo in the Awards Section).

Marinela Rusu

– achieved the design – for the cover of numerous collective or personal scientific volumes (33 collective volumes) or of art (4 albums).

– from 2010 to 2025, organized annual international scientific conferences on topics of Art, Psychology of Art, Ethics and Aesthetics, The intercultural dimension of art, at the Romanian Academy, Iasi Branch, “Gh. Zane” Institute.

– is the sole author of several scientific volumes in the field of psychology:

• “Emotions – from knowledge to self-regulation” (2017)
• “Emotional Intelligence” (2005)
• “Adolescents of the 21st century – opportunities and risks in personal development” (2010).
• “Introduction to pedagogy” (2006)
• “The Science of Consciousness” (2002)
• “Affective experiences and compensations” (2001)

AWARDS, distinctions and Diplomas of Excellence (over 40 prizes):

• MEDAL AND HONORARY AWARD For contribution to the field of art and culture, Athens, Greece – ART GENESIS, 2026
• Special Recognition for Excellence in Art, nov. 2022, Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery www.lightspacetime.art
• Bronze Award, in the art contest ”Five Golden Stars”, Eindhoven, Netherlands, 2012.
• Award for Painting, Art Contest “Winter Story”, Iulius Mall, Jan. 2018, Iasi, ROMANIA.
• Premio Internationale Italy Arte, Accademia Santa Sara, Alessandria, ITALIA, feb. 2017.
• Special Award, Ad Art, January, 2017, Milano, ITALIA.
• Mixed Media Award, “Dragobete Art.Ro”, Feb., 2017, Iasi, ROMANIA.
• The Distinction of the Contest – International Art Contest “A. Băeșu”, dec. 2016, Piatra Neamț, ROMANIA.
• Certificate of Participation (Coordinator for Romania) at the International Art Project: “Belt of Friendship, Peace and Love” – ​​Greek Art Union, Nov. 2016, NAOUSSA, GREECE and 2026, IAșI, ROMANIA.
• AWARD I – Award of Critics, Ad-Art, Concorso d’Arte Contemporanea, Ed. 32, sept. 2015, Milano, ITALIA.
• AWARD II – Award of the Galleries, Ad-Art, Concorso d’Arte Contemporanea, Ed. 32, sept. 2015, Milano, ITALIA.

These are accompanied by many other awards of equal distinction.

OTHER AWARDS AND DIPLOMAS OF EXCELLENCE:

• Diploma of Excellence in Visual Arts  at the International Exhibition of Visual Art, “The Path of Suffering”, 1-30 June, 2021.
• Jubilee Diploma of Excellence at the International Salon of Visual Arts teachers,
• 20th edition, Iași, Dec. 20-31. 2021, Gallery of art “Nicolae Tonitza”.
• Prize for painting, Jan. 2021, “Said and done”
• Award for Mixed Media, “Iasi Identities”, ed. X, Nov. 2021.
• Award for Mixed Media, 2021, “Checkers’ Square”, 6th edition, June, 2021, Iași.
• Prize for painting, 2021, “Dragobete Art.Ro”, IX edition, March, Iasi.
• Prize for painting 2021, Jan., “Portrait and Self-Portrait”, 3rd Edition, Iasi.
• Award for Mixed Media, Dragobete Art.Ro, ian. 2022.
• Award for Mixed Media, Portrait and self-portrait, June, 2022.
• Award for Mixed Media, Six – six! Take it home!“ August, 2022.
• Prize for Painting, Iasi Identities, nov., 2022.
• Diploma of Excellence A.R.T.E., ian. 2022   (and many more)

PERSONAL EXHIBITIONS

• 2026, 10 ian.-10 feb., “Spiral of emotions”, the hall ”Stefan Dimitrescu”, Husi, Romania.
• 2026, 1-20 May,  “Meanings and geometries”, Absida Gallery, Iasi, Romania.
• 2025, 10-20 June, “Unconscious and Creation”, Gallery ”Th. Pallady”, Iasi.
• 2025, 22-28 May, ”Chromatic Harmonies”, the “T. Dima” conference room, the “Gh. Zane” Institute, Iasi.
• 2025, 17-28 feb., “Inner Journeys”, Gallery of art of the Library – Romanian Academy, Branch Iasi.
• 2025, 15-25 May, ”Science and Art” – “T. Dima” Hall, “Gh. Zane” Institute, Romanian Academy, Branch Iasi.
• 2024, 22 dec.-14 ian.“Winter Reveries”, Absida Gallery, Iasi.
• 2023, 1-31 March, ”Spring mood”, Virtual International Exhibition, Varpalota, Hungary.  
• 2023, 15 June-15 July, ”Arbitrary Dreams”, Gallery “Dumitru I. Grumăzescu”, Iasi, Romania.
• 2023, 15 nov.-15 ian. ”Interactions”,  Gallery ”Monique Roussel”, High School ”D. Cantemir”, Iasi, Romania.
• 2021, dec.-2022 ian., ”Project Continuity”, Virtual Gallery, link: https://visit.virtualartgallery.com/art/?lang=en
• 2020, 1-10 April, “Highs and lows”, Gallery ”Th. Pallady”, Iasi.
• 2019, 15-30 oct. ”Expressionist Explorations”, Marble Hall, USAMV, Iasi.
• 2019, 28-31 May, “Aspirations”, Aula Magna, Romanian Academy, Iasi.
• 2018, 20-26 March, ”Happening Exhibition”, Center Nostro Mondo, Korinth, Greece.
• 2018, 15-25 March, ”See You at Picasso”, Gallery ”i”, Centre for European Studies, Iasi.
• 2018, 1-10 August, ”Chromatic Hypostases”, Municipal Art Gallery, Korinth, Greece.
• 2017, 9-15 June, “Artistic diversities”, Aula Magna, Romanian Academy, Branch Iasi.
• 2017, 18-31 May, ”Under the Sign of the Harp”, Gallery ”i”, Centre for European Studies, Iasi.
• 2017, 18-25 feb., “Between emotions”, Cărtureşti, Palas Mall, Iasi, Romania.
• 2016, 17 nov.-10 dec., ”Expressionist Dialogue”, CFR Club, Iasi, Romania.
• 2016, 9-20 aug., ”Meanders of time”, Municipal Library, Korinth, Greece.
• 2015, 8-22 July, ”Under the sun of Crete”, ”Gallery 88”, Rethymno, Crete Island, Greece.
• 2015, 15 April -15 May, ”Subjective Connections”, “Tătărași University” Gallery, Iasi, Romania.
• 2014, 23-30 April, ”The dialogue of forms”, Municipal Art Gallery – “Ekavi”, Katerini, Greece.
• 2013, 3-14 dec., ”Harmony of Colors”, Municipal Art Gallery – “Ekavi”, Katerini, Greece.
• 2013, 1 July-1 aug., “Summer“, Gallery – Headquarters of the “Travel by Pleasure” Agency, Katerini, Greece.
• 2012, 8-16 dec., ”Symbols and colors”, Municipal Art Gallery – “Ekavi”, Katerini, Greece.
• 2012, 29 oct.-29 nov., ”Abstract Visions”, “Tătărași University” Gallery, Iasi, Romania.
• 2012, 9-19 ian., ”Ellada – through the eyes of the soul”, „Antoniadios Stegi Grammaton ke Tehnon”, Summer, Greece.
• 2011, 7-14 dec., ”Ellada – through the eyes of the soul”, Gallery „Astiki Sholi”, Katerini, Greece.
• 2010, 3-14 dec., “Emotions and feelings”, Top Art Galleries, Casa Cartii, Iasi, Romania.
• 2009, 17 July-14 August, “Steps to the soul”, Top Art Galleries, Casa Carții, Iasi, Romania.

Interviews and articles in the country and abroad:

• 2026, Editor Spyros Katsikas – ”Visual artist PhD. Marinela Rusu”, in Polisfreenews, Greece:                   https://www.polismagazino.gr/visual-artist-phd-marinela-rusu-mono-otan-o-theatis-i-o-apodektis-lavei-pragmatika-to-minyma-sou-boreis-na-peis-oti-to-ergo-sou-echei-oloklirosei-tin-apostoli-tou/?fbclid=IwY2xjawSzW 
• 2026 – dr. Ana-Irina Iorga – ”Lyrical Geometries”, in “Salt & Pepper Magazine” https://saltandpepperm.blogspot.com/2024/01/ana-maria-iorga-geometrisme-lirice.html?fbclid=IwAR1Ge7X75QXohHprj0Zgloiil9FOdEj2BY-0KDgzaeLukOsTCzQWLhnYOvY

• 2025 – Editor Anca Cheaito, “Violet between mystery and revelation in the painting of Marinela Rusu: an essay on the beauty of a color and its deep symbolism in contemporary art”, in Rev. “Romanian Orient”, no. 32/2025
• 2024 – Editor Irina Iosip – “Marinela Rusu’s Inner Journeys”, in Rev. “Arts and Society”, no. 8/2024 ttps://saltandpepperm.blogspot.com/2024/01/ana-maria-iorga-geometrismelirice.html?fbclid=IwAR1Ge7X75QXohHprj0Zgloiil9FOdEj2BY-0KDgzaeLukOsTCzQWLhnYOvY
• TELE MOLDOVA PLUS: https://fb.watch/xNzVA8jndh/Romania Levant Association (RLA):

• https://www.facebook.com/groups/rla.lebanon/permalink/9324123750982394/?rdid=hUmFSdmzzQg4fTDS&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2Fp%2F12Gojo9GofD%2F#
• APPOLONIA TV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOAKLehXvIM
• https://www.artexhibition74.com/artexhition-artists-society/2534465_marinela-rusu?fbclid=IwY2xjawKlcPJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHm9QKI2ex9-hoOpThU8Q78CwZSHSDZPFux08K1309SZmoDBtLDyMvqA9a2K__aem_y1kipAm5AYrZ7nCKLitP7w
• https://saltandpepperm.blogspot.com/2025/03/calatoriile-interioare-ale-marinelei.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawKnhCNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBDVUV5ck1nN2pNZGNWMVBBAR4IJF_ojJbKAN-IL7qPqC1sNsS1IMO-0yp047age1uqNpDdGeWj-_-juQambQ_aem_CWLWg0SrBZdSGUng8QUgLwhttps://artesisocietate.weebly.com/arte-si-societate–8—9.html
• 2022 – Dr. Ofelia Huțul, ”Marinela Rusu – an artist in search of the abyssal mysteries of creation”, art review, in Vol. “D. Cantemir – Identity and alterity” – the works of the National Symposium with International Participation “Dimitrie Cantemir and the European vocation of Romanian thought” – 20th edition, Iasi,

• 2022 – redactor Anca Cheaito, “Intense emotion and color in the art of Marinela Rusu”. art review in International Magazine “Romanian East”, Beirut, Lebanon, oct. 2022. http://orientromanesc.ro/2022/09/18/emotie-intensa-si-culoare-arta-marineleirusu/?fbclid=IwAR06TxnplbP_2tGwAXde4bkA4aToT8y1FexzERbTu3HKoUAOOm_dVFuf8HQ

• 2021 – dr. C. Tofan, Art Review – “Highs and lows”, “Leviathan” magazine, Bucharest, April 14, 2021. https://leviathan.ro/inaltimi-si-abisuri-cronica-plastica-de-prof-univ-drconstantintofan/?fbclid=IwAR1X9ofC2JBH5tu_1HWnyyxCXBYwxgY27cQ7gPusXztXCp1LvdtN-mex7oE 

• 2021 – Editor Anca Cheaito, Revista “Romanian East” – ”Portrait of an Artist – prof. dr. Marinela Rusu”
• 2021, mart. 27– interview conducted by Anca Cheaito – Beirut – Lebanon: http://orientromanesc.ro/2021/03/27/50526/

• 2021 – RADIO IAŞI – Article and Filmmaker Interview Daniela Vlad – ”Music and the passion to paint”, 18 April, 2021:
• http://www.radioiasi.ro/emisiuni/univers-muzical/18-apr-18-10-muzica-si-pasiunea-de-a-picta-invitata-dr-in-psihologie-marinela-rusu-la-univers-muzical-cu-daniela-vlad/?fbclid=IwAR3yZ2Jri4ki-NSHKmqQAGm7MsjB0AnoiZ5KZNfkIF5IsP0jDjkV_NZnkrY
• 2022 – “Opening of M. Rusu’s exhibition”, Interview and article by Radio-Iași editor, Daniela Vlad, 17 June, 2022. http://www.radioiasi.ro/…/iasi-17-June-ora-18-00…/…
• 2016 –“Tea with Petru Frăsilă” – together with art critic Mihai Păstraguș. TELE M, Iasi, dec.
• 2014 – “The Heirs of Socrates”, TV Apollonia, Iasi, with dr. Eugenia Zaitsev, June.
• 2012 – ”The Spectacle of Art”, RADIO-Iași interview with Alex Aciobănităi, October.
• ”Matinal”, TVR Iasi, October 29, 2012.
• DION TV – KATERINI, GREECE, Interview at the exhibition, April, 2014.
• RADIO CITY, KATERINI, GREECE, ”Cultural Event”, interviu-realizator Viki Mitrou, along with Michalis Giannopoulos, December, 2011.
• RADIO LAOS, VERIA, GREECE, interview, January, 2012.