Illustrator Ionut Vancea on “breaking down barriers” with humour and wit

For Ionut Vancea, art is as much about the intention as it is the final product. “It’s not just about creating something pleasing, but about exploring and responding to our world using everyday materials and inspirations,” he says. Moreover, by using humour and wit (something the artist’s work is steeped in), he believes it’s possible to “break down barriers” and “connect people”.

To capture such universal recognition and understanding, Ionut strives to create work that is visually “accessible”. He favours simple black and graphic lines, pops of block colour, and warm characterisation of both humans and animals. In Sunday Brunch, Ionut depicts a cat-shaped maze with a piece of cheese at the centre, encircled by hungry mice. The piece, for Ionut, simultaneously captures his “playful spirit” while also “challenging viewers to reflect on the obstacles we face in life”. As artistic goals go, aiming to inspire humour alongside important reflection is as good as it gets.