Stefan Pelmus - Wheel of Life

The painting "Roata vieții" by Ștefan Pelmuș is part of the surrealist symbolism style. Pelmuș's works are deeply rooted in Romanian folklore and incorporate ancestral pagan elements, dating back to pre-Christian beliefs. His compositional method and iconography are often rooted in the Orthodox Christian faith, reflecting his personal belief. He mainly uses oils on canvas or cardboard, with a notable influence from Orthodox art, especially in the rigidity of the composition, the high intensity of the often primary colors and the silver or gold leaf backgrounds. This traditional icon painting technique begins with the application of metal leaf to the canvas, followed by layers of colors and details. Thus, "Roata vieții" reflects this unique fusion of surrealist symbolism and traditional Orthodox iconography.