Non Finito Paintings Recognised with Artistic Achievement Certificate in Prestigious Luxembourg Art Prize
On the 1st of December 2023, Romeo Varga received a Certificate of Artistic Achievement for his non finito portrait paintings submission in the prestigious annual Luxembourg Art Prize.
Issued by The Pinacothèque Museum in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the certificate “in recognition of their high artistic quality” is only given to artists worthy of acknowledgement.
“Only the most deserving artists received this certificate”, the award states.
Having his unique non finito painting style recognised by Luxembourg Art Prize was a significant milestone for Romeo, whose work has been described by New York art critic Renee Phillips as altering the records of history.
“Historically non finitos were originally simply unfinished artworks. I started my series of non finito paintings where the fact that they’re unfinished is an essential aspect of each piece’s character,” Romeo Varga said.
“The fact that my new groundbreaking style is being recognized by the biggest art prize in Europe, makes my path thus far all the more magnificent.”
Receiving the certificate of acknowledgement from The Pinacothèque was also meaningful for Romeo, who up until recently, despite having created art all his life, hadn’t entered an art prize since his university days.
“I’ve created art for exactly 40 years now but since uni I have only just begun to submit my art for competitions, so naturally any prize and recognition of my work is important and greatly appreciated,” he said.
The 2023 Luxembourg Art Prize received a total of 487 artist submissions from across the world, and the finalists originated from all corners of the globe including China, America, Argentina, Morocco and Gabon.
61% of artist submissions for this year’s competition were from self-taught artists, including Romeo.
The winner, Naoko Sekine from Japan received €20,000 euros for her submission of abstract paintings.
Varga Non Finito Series “Established a Unique Position in the Art World”, says Esteemed British Art Historian
In November 2023, famous London art critic and historian from Oxford University Anthony Fawcett who is renowned for his collaborations with iconic artists including John Lennon, Yoko Ono and Andy Warhol endorsed Romeo Varga’s non finito portrait painting series with an impressive critique of his work.
“[Romeo] has established a unique position in the art world with his digital portraits, which stare out at us with a deep sense of pathos,” Anthony Fawcett wrote in his review of the Relinquish series in London.
“Although there is a glossy, Pop sensibility to his work, Romeo is projecting a lifelong story of moving from country to country, escaping conflicts, and coming to terms with this through his extraordinary paintings,” the iconic art critic wrote.
“His signature blend of bright colors belies a nod to the Classical world of the Renaissance,” he added.
The British art historian also noted Romeo’s intention to facilitate a collaborative dialogue between the viewer and the subject.
“In particular, the ‘Non-Finito’ hyper-realistic portraits are divided into two halves, one side finished, but the other side just an outline, perhaps asking the viewer to complete the work, or perhaps it is the sitter’s alter ego,” Anthony Fawcett said.
“Romeo’s paintings are a palimpsest for our troubled times and refreshingly allegorical, offering empty spaces for us to ‘write our own story’,” he added.
In October, New York curator and director of Manhattan Arts International Renee Phillips said Romeo Varga was “making an indelible mark on art history” with his non finito work.
Romeo Varga and his Non Finito Paintings Leaving Mark on Art History, says New York Curator
New York curator and Director of Manhattan Arts International Renee Phillips has called Romeo Varga’s non finito paintings “transformative” work that “raise our level of consciousness”, adding that Romeo as an artist “is making an indelible mark on art history”.
In an article published in The Healing Power of Art and Artists in October 2023, the Manhattan art critic described the non finito painting series as a body of work that “conveys profound insight into humanity and resonates on an individual and universal level”.
“We immediately relate to each subject and it triggers our own visceral internal dialogue,” she added.
Romeo Varga’s non finito painting series Relinquish began in August 2023 as an experimental practice in loosening technical control of his artworks. But soon into it he realised he’d stumbled on something significant.
“As a naturally highly detailed technical artist, the Relinquish non-finito series initially began as an experiment in ‘letting go’ as a painter, to leave the works consciously unresolved. This intentional unfinishedness was a rebellion against my former ultra-detailed-artist-self, and catharsis from the 24 to 48 hour illustration deadlines. Yet I quickly discovered that it is in fact within the incomplete that there is everything to search for, think, feel and discover,” the multi award winning artist said.
In the New York article, Renee Phillips went on to write that Romeo’s non finito painting series was impacting the records of art history.
“Interestingly, ‘Non-finito’ was an aesthetic term used to describe the unfinished works by Renaissance Masters Donatello, Da Vinci and Michelangelo. As an inventive contemporary artist Romeo has reestablished the phrase in a new context. He is also contributing to the annals of art history”, she said.
Multiple works from Romeo’s non finito portrait painting series have been featured on Saatchi Art, and his angel portrait “The Guardian” has recently been selected for exhibition in a New York-based juried international art competition.
Honorable Mention Received in International Open Themed Art Competition
At the beginning of November 2023 Romeo’s captivating digital matte painting ‘She Listens to the Moon’ received an Honorable Mention Award in an annual open-themed international juried art competition in Santa Fe, USA.
The global visual arts competition received a mammoth 683 submissions from artists in 23 countries (and 32 states of America). Romeo’s artwork was placed in the Top 20 out of all the photography and digital submissions received.
The award winning artwork that was created more than a decade ago was rediscovered recently by the artist which prompted him to enter the visual into the competition.
“While the artwork was created back in 2008, I recently found it by accident and decided to submit it to the competition as I felt it still had impactful visual qualities 15 years later. Brilliant to see it receive an international award”, Romeo wrote on Instagram.
The black and white version of ‘She Listens to the Moon’ also recently received a Finalist Award in a separate (black and white) American international art competition where artists from four continents: North America, Europe, Asia and Australia, submitted their work for consideration.
The matte-painting was created using a collection of Romeo’s photographs to create a single cohesive image that clearly resonated with the judges.
Romeo Varga Wins Gold in Annual International Black and White Visual Arts Competition
On the 4th November 2023 Romeo Varga’s digital matte painting ‘Post Apocalypse Sydney’ was among just three others worldwide to receive a Gold Award in the US-based ‘Black and White XI International Juried Art Exhibition’.
To be awarded the Gold, the work competed against finalists from four continents and 12 countries including USA, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, France and Hong Kong. As an artist living and creating in Kotor, Romeo represented Montenegro in the competition. The other three winners were all USA-based artists.
The impactful work was created by using a photograph Romeo had taken of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and disfiguring it using expert digital art techniques.
“My aim was to use a photo I had taken of the Harbour Bridge. But to completely change it into an entirely different work, I needed to destroy it. So using matte-painting techniques I transformed a conventional photo into this post-apocalyptic scene,” Romeo’s artist statement read.
This isn’t the first accolade this powerful post-apocalyptic visual has received. Back in 2015, the coloured version of the work was selected as the Opening Art for an international environmental conference held at the Sydney Opera House, which Romeo received royalties for.
The coloured version of the dramatic scene also recently received a Special Recognition Award in another American international juried art competition, which received 683 submissions from artists from 23 countries (and 32 states of America).
While the artwork depicting Australia’s iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge destroyed was created back in 2008, Romeo says he entered it into the competitions because “it still seemed relevant”.
In 2023 alone Romeo has won five international art awards in North America. He was also a finalist in a US-based art competition for two portrait paintings, which received submissions from four continents including the countries of UK, China, Germany and Canada.
Romeo Varga Shows Montenegro in a New ‘Old’ Light with his Classical Series ‘The Mystics of Montenegro’
International award winning fine artist Romeo Varga has shown that Montenegro is more than just an adventure holiday destination in his new ethereal allegorical painting series heavily influenced by the Pre-Raphaelite artworks of the 1800’s.
The former Yugoslavian-born Australian began painting The Mystics of Montenegro series in May 2023, inspired by the country’s wild beauty and breathtaking Venetian and Ottoman architecture.
Featuring captivating mystical beings in classical Montenegrin landscapes, Romeo’s aim with The Mystics of Montenegro was to “not only pay homage to the grandeur of Montenegro’s natural beauty and magnificent medieval architecture, but to offer an alternative, ‘classical lens’ for the world to view and experience Montenegro’s scenery—beyond that of merely summer tourism and adventure travel”.
“With my paintings I sought to capture and showcase Montenegro’s other-worldly stillness and unique mystical timelessness. Each painting title includes the place name of the authentic existing location in Montenegro to further promote the country’s nature and landmarks internationally through fine art.
The key piece within the series entitled ‘The Harp Player of Perast’ (featured above), was successfully selected to participate in a touring group art exhibition in Western Europe during the summer, where works from artists across the globe were showcased in notable art capitals including Paris, France.
More recently, in September of this year the painting ‘Nymphs at Snake Lake’ received a Special Recognition art award for its artistic excellence in an international juried art exhibition in Manhattan USA.
The Mystics of Montenegro series as a whole has received high acclaim in New York, with Director and Curator of Manhattan Arts International, Renee Phillips describing the body of work as “an awe-inspiring series” painted by “an extraordinary contemporary artist who creates art with skillful Old Master art techniques”.
The New York professional art critic also commented on the series in the following way:
“In this oeuvre of classic feminine beauty, he portrays beguiling muses, angels, and sea goddesses in enchanting mythological vistas. Imbued with the spirit of idealized romanticism his symbolic allegorical paintings recall an innocent, simpler bygone era of human existence which he infuses with his unique contemporary narrative.”
While the ten work series was completed in just two intensive months of day and night painting for weeks on end, Romeo says he might continue adding to the series in the future.
“Whenever I look back at the works after not having seen them for a while, I’m always surprised at how beautiful they are, and it makes me think, ‘ I’d like to create more of these’” he said.
Work from The Mystics of Montenegro series has also been featured in Boomer Museum by Boomer Gallery London.
Romeo Varga Reveals New Painterly Storyboard Style
In September 2023 Romeo Varga publicly released his new painterly storyboard style, coinciding with the launch of his Australian creative agency Jacky Winter’s latest website refresh.
Vastly different from his former illustrative storyboard styles, Romeo’s new painterly aesthetic storyboards have been heavily influenced by his intensive fine art work this year, creating several acclaimed painting series’ including The Mystics of Montenegro and the Relinquish non finito portrait series.
As a multi-award winning fine artist who was recently selected as a finalist in an international portrait competition in America for two of his fine art portraiture paintings, Romeo knows how to convey emotions.
For TVC storyboards this is an essential quality because their core purpose is to make the client ‘feel’.
“Storyboards in advertising exist solely to move the viewer. Based on the emotions they evoke, the client can imagine whether this campaign, were it to go ahead and be produced, will in turn sway the public towards their product. Storyboards are essentially communication in pictures—and in communication, emotions are everything,” Romeo said.
Romeo’s painterly storyboards create a strong emotional resonance with the viewer and leave a lasting visceral impact which is key for a successful campaign pitch.
As an ever-evolving and creatively flexible artist, Romeo’s storyboard styles have been consistent in their transformations over the years. His early storyboard work began characterised by thick hard lines encouraged by his agent Jacky Winter, and then since relocating to Europe and working in the European ad market, Romeo’s storyboards naturally transitioned into a more fresh and contemporary style with loose and sketchy lines.
Romeo’s new painterly storyboard aesthetic has already received positive reception across continents from art directors in both the UK and Australia.
Romeo Varga FINALIST in 9th Annual International Portrait and Figurative Art Competition
On the 5th of October 2023 Romeo Varga became a successful finalist in the 9th Annual Figures & Faces International Art Exhibition for his two portrait painting submissions (featured above) ‘Fiji Wisdom’ painted 2020 and ‘Ivan Varga’ painted in August 2023. Click here to watch how Romeo painted Ivan Varga’s portait from start to finish.
The international juried art competition with Fusion Art (Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA) received artist submissions from four continents and 14 countries including UK, Canada, Germany, Italy and China.
In commenting on this artistic accolade, Romeo said the following:
“Portraits in my opinion, are the most difficult of the genre of art as there’s so much involved, from the maze of muscles, bone structures, skin tones and conditions, nose and ear shapes, hairstyles and down to the most difficult – not only achieving a harmony of all those parts to resemble someone’s likeness but to have the sitter in awe, gazing at their mirror image exclaiming “that’s me!” – this has always been the ultimate goal in my creative passion and pursuit of perfection as an artist. To be shortlisted, out of so many countries, continents and amazing artists that submitted their incredible works and listed as a finalist not only in painting, but portrait painting, is an incredible reward for me on my artistic journey.”
Best in Show winners included Michelle L Sullivan for her acrylic, “Stepping Out!”, He Yanyun for her digital art, “Cat and Girl” and Douglas Aja for his bronze sculpture, “Sam Jones NCCU”.
In their international press release on the 9th Annual Figures & Faces International Art Exhibition, Fusion Art stated that the finalists “all exemplified uniquely creative talents and we are honoured to showcase their artwork on the Fusion Art website”.
Romeo represented his new country of residence (Montenegro) in this competition and was among just 80 artists worldwide to be shortlisted as finalists in this portrait and figurative art prize.
Enjoy the diverse works in the Art Exhibition here!
Romeo Varga Receives Special Recognition Art Award in Manhattan for Montenegro Painting
At the beginning of September 2023 one of Romeo’s painting from The Mystics of Montenegro series ‘Nymphs at Snake Lake’ was successfully selected for ‘The Healing Power of Elements: Earth, Water, Air’ and Fire’ Juried Art Competition Exhibition (Manhattan, NYC), where artists from around the world were chosen to participate for excellence in demonstrating their interpretations of the healing power of nature through art. The painting also received a Special Recognition Art Award for the competition entry and as such was chosen to be featured for the exhibition’s promotional video to be permanently archived in Manhattan Arts International’s channel on YouTube.
According to exhibition curator and founder of Manhattan Arts International Renee Phillips, artists selected as finalists for the juried art competition “were judged on their unique stylistic expressions related to this theme, artistic skills in their mediums, and the lucidity of their statements.”
The New York curator added that as part of the shortlisting process she visited artist applicant’s websites to “gain more knowledge about their artistic aptitude, see if they have developed a solid body of artwork, and read about their professional achievements.”
“Artists with the highest scores in these areas, and who followed the requirements stated on the entry form, were selected as the finalists,” Renee Phillips said.
In sharing the award and successful exhibition selection on his social media, Romeo said the following:
“It is such an honour for me to be able to share the grandeur of my new home with a global audience and to offer an alternative, classical and ethereal lens to view Montenegro—far more than just an adventure holiday destination, Montenegro is a place of magic where you can travel back in time in the present.”
Romeo Varga Celebrates 10 Years Artist Representation with Jacky Winter
2023 marks a milestone in Romeo’s professional artistic career having now been represented as a storyboard and visualisation illustrator with The Jacky Winter Group for an entire decade.
Joining the Jacky Winter storyboard roster back in 2013 when Jeremy and the (then) tiny team were operating out of a small corner in a warehouse in downtown Melbourne, Romeo quickly began receiving TVC storyboard briefs for major brands including Virgin, Asahi and Australia’s leading car insurance provider NRMA.
Over the last ten years Romeo has built up a highly impressive portfolio of global clients and high-end projects working as a full-time illustrator with the Jacky Winter Group including:
- A concept visual of the multi-billion dollar Barangaroo Development in Sydney City to help investors envisage the project
- Performance drawing for Microsoft to promote the new Surface Pro 4 on Facebook Live to hundreds of thousands of viewers
- Visually documented a managerial meeting for Airbnb executives
- A front cover automotive illustration for Wheels Magazine AU/NZ
- Explainer animation videos for QBE’s global Human Resources campaign
- Live drawing at an Accenture conference with over 1000 people watching
- Concept car sketches for a new Lexus model
- Interactive animations for Johnson & Johnson’s health stand at an international conference;
- Storyboards in every subject matter imaginable including a national recruitment campaign for the Australian Defence Force
Despite the decade-long accomplishments in TVC storyboard work, Romeo never takes his job for granted.
“Being able to use my artistic gifts to bring incredible projects to life and play a key role in that project’s creative journey is a huge honour and a blessing,” he wrote on Instagram in October 2023 in a post celebrating his career milestone.
Since Romeo first joined the books at Jacky Winter, the Australian creative agency founded by Jeremy Wortsman has expanded to have offices in three continents, including a colourful giant Headquarters in Melbourne’s eclectic district of Collingwoood.
The agency now has 16 permanent staff and over 150 artists.
To hire Romeo for an upcoming storyboard project, email him directly: romeo@rvdesigns.com.au