IRINA MOLDOVAN'S abstract works are painted with acrylic and gold leaf. The reflective quality of metal leaf adds a luminous dimension to the composition. The earliest use of gold can be traced back to ancient Egyptian civilizations, and gold leaf is most commonly recognized as a major decorative element of illuminated religious manuscripts from the middle ages. Moldovan's traditional choice of medium has been strikingly reinterpreted in this contemporary fine art context. The initial impact is of a graphic pattern of reflective material floating on a deep background, while viewing the work up close reveals a complexity of layers as well as the traces of the artist's mark-making and the nuanced texture of the gold leaf applied by hand.