In my lifetime, I experienced on several occasions great tension and distress. The most desperate time I went trough was shortly after divorce when my daughter underwent strong emotional problems, which were to persist for many years. She struggled with depression, loneliness, suicidal thoughts, illusions and delusions. She was fourteen, bright and beautiful. I always enjoyed taking photographs of her, but this time straight photographs did not seem sufficiently descriptive of our tensed relationships. This is why I started painting on her photographs. Through painting, these photographs became more images of the mind. The original private meaning has changed into a general, universal meaning. That was the time when I most felt the healing power of prayer and painting.

Ioana Datcu

email: idatcu@vtc.net

Born Again
oil on photo, 1991
20" x 16"