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Multiple by Madalina Mihutoiu

Bring a touch of magic into your home with the new multiple by artist Madalina Mihutoiu! Madalina has created a unique series of five masks inspired by ancient Romanian traditions. In these masks, she has combined traditional elements with a playful, cartoon-like style. Each mask is handmade.

Thanks to the membership fees of Kunstpunt’s Art Rental members, this project has been made possible. As a token of appreciation, a special presale for members will begin on Wednesday, November 20, at 12:00 PM. Starting Thursday, November 21, at 12:00 PM, the multiple will be available to everyone.

Romanian Folklore

Madalina Mihutoiu, originally from Romania, drew inspiration for this multiple from the ancient tradition of masks in Romanian folklore. In her homeland, masks play a significant role in ritual dances and festive parades, aiming to ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune. “Every year around Christmas and New Year’s, I would see groups of men wearing traditional masks and costumes, covered in animal hides. They would perform in the streets of my neighborhood, singing loudly, bells ringing, feet stomping, and long noses bobbing up and down. Whenever I think of magic, I think of those performances,” Madalina explains about her inspiration for the multiple.

The masks often combine human and animal features, incorporating elements like parts of rams, bears, and goats to create a magical, hybrid figure that offers protection to the wearer or the household where they are displayed.

Sustainable Materials and the Punch Needle

The five masks are each unique creations; no two are exactly alike. Each mask has its own character and expression—ranging from a smile to a neutral or shouting look—staying true to the tradition of mask-making.

Each mask is carefully embroidered using a punch-needle technique, which allows for raised textures that highlight details and give the masks a tangible depth. Madalina used sustainable materials, including local wool and acrylic yarn. To ensure the masks are sturdy, they are reinforced with liquid latex and finished with an extra layer of fabric and a hanging loop.

In this video, Madalina demonstrates her process:

Presale

The artworks are now available at a special price of €365 (the regular price is €640).

The exclusive presale for Kunstpunt members begins on Wednesday, November 20, at 12:00 PM, and runs until Thursday, November 21, at 12:00 PM. After that, the multiple will be available to everyone.

Interested buyers can contact us via email at info@kunstpuntgroningen.nl.

Not a Kunstpunt member yet? Click here to discover the benefits and sign up!

 

Commissioned Art

Kunstpunt Groningen supports artists in their professional practice by commissioning a young artist each year to create a multiple. Madalina Mihutoiu was unanimously selected from a shortlist of three artists by external advisors Tsjalling Venema and Mirjam Dijkema. “Madalina’s proposal immediately captured the imagination. Moreover, a textile multiple was something entirely different from what we’ve showcased in recent years,” the selection committee explained.

In previous years, this commission was awarded to artists Mirthe van Wermeskerken (1998), Eirik Jahnsen (1985), and Fynn van der Ziel (1996).

About Madalina Mihutoiu

Madalina Mihutoiu is a Romanian illustrator based in Groningen. In 2023, she graduated from Academie Minerva, specializing in Illustration & Animation. In addition to drawing illustrations, she embroiders using a punch-needle. Madalina is fascinated by (folk) tales, characters and their magical qualities, imaginative imagery, and whimsical environments.