Comissaire-priseurs
Adina Matei
The most well-known commissaire-priseur in Romania and with the most active Artmark auctions, Adina manages to keep the tension of the room alive and create a memorable experience for the participants, whether we are talking about half-hour auctions or duplex events, that extend late into the midnight. Adina Matei holds the auction records of the Romanian art market, being the one who led the auction of the most important Romanian works. The absolute record was achieved, under Adina’s guidance, in 2018. The masterpiece \"Countrywoman with a white scarf\", signed by Nicolae Grigorescu, was awarded for 340,000 euros after only 10 minutes of bidding. Adina Matei leads the house’s team of auction commissioners and aims to formalize this profession in Romania to international standards imposed by Artmark. In parallel, Adina is the founder of consulting companies in Creative Marketing Strategies, New Business & Business development for renowned brands in Romania.
Dragoș Mihăilă
In the summer of 2013, the Auction for Elegance (Licitația de Eleganță) carried out in Mamaia brought a new name to the Artmark auctioneer’s desk – that of Dragoş Mihăilă, a charismatic presence who inspires a fresh approach on the art market stage. What makes him stand out is an unusual mix of dynamism, spontaneity, knowledge of art management and over 7 years’ experience in customer care. To this add the pleasure of communication which radiates from the copywriter side of Dragoș Mihăilă (with the Intact Media Group since 2013). His euphonic, radio presenter-like voice, his dynamism and positive attitude make Dragoş a pleasant host and enable him to lend the energy and effervescence of an art show to the entire auction room.
Vlad Babenco
A graduate of the University of Bucharest, a bachelor of Communication Sciences and a Master of the Theory of Feminist Politics and the Protection of Minorities, Vlad has 6 years of experience with Artmark. He began by working in the Auction Sales department, where he discovered the pleasure of trading and becoming acquainted with art. Vlad is a lecturer within the “Art me up!” project and organises private tours within the ArtSafari Pavilion. He became an Artmark House auctioneer in 2014 and he has often been asked to take part in both art auctions and charitable auctions, due to his optimism and remarkable alacrity in bringing a genuine smile on people’s faces no matter the situation. His journeys for the purpose of either studying or exploring art and world cultures, together with the international projects he is part of make Vlad Babenco a valuable commissaire-priseur. What Vlad values the most is his relation with the auction room, as he is constantly engaged in a dynamic dialogue with the bidders.
Cristina Turnagiu Dragna
With a solid reputation built over 15 years of public relations and image management, specialising in etiquette and protocol, and having worked as a television journalist, Cristina Turnagiu Dragna is a distinguished and energising presence, a commissaire-priseur who presides over Artmark auctions with elegance and diplomacy. Cristina has been an Artmark auctioneer since 2017, a Lecturer of the Romanian Diplomatic Institute, Secretary General of the Romanian Association for Protocol and Ceremony, and a trainer in business ethics and etiquette. Having activated in the field of aesthetics and harbouring a passion for design, scenography and decorative art, Cristina is the Official Auctioneer of the UNITER annual charitable auction “Dăruind vei Dobândi” (Giving You Shall Receive), as part of the National Theatre Festival, and of many other auctions founded on touching stories.
Mirela Mateescu
Artmark's wine auctions are "reserved" for Mirela Mateescu, a maitre-priseur, whose green eyes can only compete with her chosen liqueurs. Mirela dedicated her great passion for wines and her professional training, being a graduate of the WineTaste School sommelier courses, as well as a graduate of the Wine and Spirits Education Trust Academy in London, courses followed both in Romania and in France. WSET 3 certified, Mirela is Artmark House's wine curator and professional taster invited to judge wines in national competitions. Mirela is passionate about the sensational stories of each bottle, a lover of local varieties and enjoys every opportunity she has to share the magic of wine with those who are curious to know it. As the co-founder of the Taste Romania concept, she is a juror in national contests, determined to grow the market of collectible wines in Romania with each auction that she leads with charm and emotion.
Ioana Ciocoiu
With perseverance, dedication and passion for art, Ioana expressly contributed to the growth of the contemporary art market in Romania. With over 11 years of experience in the trade of cultural-artistic goods, Ioana joined the Artmark team in 2011, within the Evaluation Department, coming into first contact with contemporary art collectors, artists and cultural managers. Full member of the Association of Authorized Appraisers from Romania and the Association of Experts and Appraisers from Romania, Ioana collaborates, since 2014, with the Art Safari team, actively contributing to the implementation of contemporary art exhibitions. From the perspective of political science studies and art history, she sees in art a universal language, with an enormous potential for socio-cultural cohesion, too little explored in our country. From 2022, Ioana joins the Artmark team of auction commissioners, aiming to quantify the unique stories that accompany post-war and contemporary artworks.