Mark Verlan (b. 1963, Cocieri, Republic of Moldova; d. 2020, Chișinău) was a multidisciplinary artist known for his sharp wit and ironic take on history, whose work often defied categorization, intertwining absurdity and profound reflection. Verlan’s drawing practice oftentimes featured imaginary characters, merging, fantasy and reality in striking graphic detail, intertwining observational sketches with imagined scenes, driven by his fascination with fictional and alternative life possibilities. Through object-making, Verlan crafted a self-contained universe he called the Kingdom of Moldova, where relics, maps, and symbols coalesced into a sovereign artistic realm and satire blended with profound social and political commentary. By forging objects from found materials and imbuing them with new meanings through playful even surreal juxtapositions, the works he created often manifested as authentic handmade artifacts. As a result, his work remains a testament to artistic freedom and creative rebellion.