He could not have become anyone other than the visual artist he ultimately became—a remarkable plastic artist! This was what nature intended and what destiny decreed.
At only one year and four months old, he was struck by a harsh and merciless disease caused (in the mid-1950s) by a monstrous virus—poliomyelitis—that also debilitated him. The disease took both his legs, rendering him unable to stand.
His parents—Ştefan and Maria Movileanu, kind and respected residents of the village Secăreni, Hânceşti—suffered deeply when misfortune befell the third of their five children. Yet, they did not succumb to despair, for Vasile had already begun to show a remarkable, innate ability to see the world differently—the well, the house, and the surrounding trees took on a unique meaning for him.
Sensing his son’s innate gift, his father presented him with a large box of “Spartak” colored pencils. These miraculous objects revealed to the little enthusiast—who often admired the rainbow from the doorstep—the mystery that would nurture and protect him throughout his life. Instantly, upon picking up the pencils, he drew his first depiction of the well, the house, the trees, and, of course, the rainbow against a blue sky.
The budding talent of this wonder child was also recognized by his elementary school teacher, Grigore Plămădeală, who insisted that Vasilică be enrolled in first grade. His parents agreed, ensuring that the child was carried to and from school by various family members—sometimes by his mother, sometimes by his brother Mihai, and occasionally by his older sister Galina.
Often, he was even carried by his kind-hearted teacher, which allowed him to complete the first grade. Naturally, second grade followed. However, to progress further, Vasilică needed to learn to sit upright, meaning he had to move independently using crutches—a challenge that was unfeasible in the village. Consequently, his parents were advised to take him to a special boarding school in Ialoveni, which served children afflicted with poliomyelitis from across the republic. However, they were informed that he could not be admitted because he was unable to move with crutches.
We will skip over the many hardships and the extremely difficult operations that the boy endured—operations that ultimately enabled him to use crutches effectively and move upright. Movement became a symbol of hope, the joy of living and dreaming. Eventually, after a third attempt, Vasile Movileanu returned to Ialoveni.
He graduated with distinction from the boarding school, carrying within his soul gratitude and deep, sincere love for the teachers and medical staff—especially his dear and respected teacher, Valeria Stog, whose rare pedagogical finesse inspired faith in his abilities and the courage to face his destiny.
From then on, walking upright with his head held high, Vasile Movileanu—already a well-known creator of dozens of paintings and graphic works—presented himself in 1978 at the Visual Arts School “I. Repin” in Chişinău (currently the Visual Arts College “A. Plamădeală”). Undoubtedly, the ambition, persistence, perseverance, and especially the talent of this young man deeply impressed the examiners. Thus, years later, the prestige of this institution would be further enhanced by the name of the exceptional visual artist, Vasile Movileanu.
Next came another milestone: the Polygraphic Institute of Moscow, where he earned a degree in Graphics. There was not a day without painting, drawing, or engaging in creative work. His inexhaustible inner energy and inspiration—sources of continuous intellectual effort—have established Vasile Movileanu as one of the most renowned creators of book and easel graphics in the Republic of Moldova.
Today, as a laureate of numerous awards and a member of the International Association of Plastic Artists (UNESCO), he has illustrated more than 30 children’s books for writers such as Grigore Vieru, Spiridon Vangheli, Dumitru Matcovschi, and the Italian literary classicist Gianni Rodari, among many others. His graphic works for the book Three Wonderful Stories by Mihail Sadoveanu brought him worldwide renown. Notably, one of the illustrations from this book was included in a prestigious Japanese catalogue published in 2000, which featured Vasile Movileanu among the 65 most renowned graphic artists in the world!
This extraordinary achievement was preceded by other valuable accomplishments, including participation in prestigious exhibitions in Romania (1991, 1994, 1996), Bratislava (1997), and Belgrade (1998), as well as numerous awards, distinctions, and diplomas.
Additionally, many of Vasile Movileanu’s works are housed in the National Art Museum in Chişinău, the Art Museum in Tulcea, Romania, and in private collections in France, Russia, Italy, the U.S., and elsewhere.
Indeed, these brief notes seem incomplete without mentioning another noteworthy detail: Vasile Movileanu not only made a name for himself in the nation’s cultural and spiritual life, but he also built a matching family. His kind and loving wife, Mrs. Ana, is a talented creator of embroideries and crochets featuring national motifs; his eldest daughter, Victoria, is an accessory designer; and his youngest daughter, Cristina, who holds a degree in arts, is clearly following in her father’s footsteps.
We once read an art critic’s appraisal stating that Vasile Movileanu’s body of work radiates warmth, light, and poetry—a sentiment that rings true. Indeed, it is the light and poetry (coupled with his unyielding thirst for life) that kept Vasile Movileanu steadfastly moving forward, both literally and figuratively!
Mihai Morăraş