Artwork description:

№Varv 228

This oil painting on canvas, titled "Dad, what kind of light is that?", evokes a deep sense of curiosity, nostalgia, and wonder. The composition is centered around a young child, standing alone in the foreground, illuminated by an ethereal glow that casts long shadows across the textured ground. The child's figure is painted in cool blue and yellow hues, a stark contrast to the warm, fiery light that filters through the dense forest ahead. The combination of colors heightens the emotional intensity of the scene, drawing the viewer into a moment of exploration and discovery. In the child’s hand, two balloons—one blue and one yellow—drift gently upward, their strings tethered loosely. These balloons symbolize innocence, dreams, and the fleeting nature of childhood. Their soft reflections capture the ambient light, making them appear weightless against the textured brushstrokes of the path. The child’s posture, slightly hesitant but curious, suggests a journey forward into the unknown, mirroring the universal experience of growing up and stepping into the mysteries of life. The background of the painting is a vibrant, almost surreal depiction of a forest bathed in golden and crimson light. The brushstrokes are expressive and dynamic, giving the impression that the trees are alive, their branches reaching towards the sky in a dance of flickering hues. The light at the center of the composition serves as the focal point, a source of both warmth and enigma. It is unclear whether this light is natural, otherworldly, or a metaphor for something greater—hope, knowledge, or even a memory lost in time. The contrast between the cool and warm colors in the painting adds to its emotional depth. The blue and yellow tones surrounding the child create a sense of detachment from the fiery hues beyond, reinforcing the theme of transition from one stage of life to another. The interplay of light and shadow gives the impression of movement, as though time itself is shifting, urging the child forward. The child’s inquiry suggests an innate desire to understand the world, to seek meaning beyond what is immediately visible. The absence of the father figure in the composition adds a layer of interpretation—perhaps the father is present but unseen, guiding the child’s thoughts, or perhaps the question is directed at a memory, an echo of past wisdom.

*** ABOUT THIS PAINTING ***
* TITLE: "Dad, what kind of light is that?"
* ARTISTS: Anatoly Varvarov
* SIZE: 90x60 cm/'35.43x23.62 inches'
* MEDIUM: oil, canvas
* HAND PAINTED: Original painting from our collection
* CONDITION: Photos provide accurate information about the product.

About the artist: Varvarov Anatoly Viktorovich

He was born on February 12, 1967 in Kremenchuk, Poltava region.

He graduated from Dnepropetrovsk Art School. EV Vuchetich (1983-1987)

National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture - (1990-1996)

Member of the Union of Artists of Ukraine. He received the category of artist-restorer of easel painting (1999).

A. Varvarov is one of the members of the art commune "Squat on Olehivska", which emerged in the early 90's. The association was a non-profit view of art and demonstrated an innovative approach to the interpretation of contemporary processes in society. Artists did not limit themselves to the walls of galleries and museums and became known for their social actions. Performance installations and flash mobs

Lives and works in Kyiv.

The works are in UKM Uue Kunsti Muuseum | MONA The Museum of New Art, Dnipro Art Museum, CSM M17, National Art Gallery of Ukraine, collections of galleries "Soviart", "AVS ART", "RA", "Vernissage", and private collections of Ukraine, England, Austria, USA, Germany , Canada, Italy, Chile, China, Estonia, Poland, Czech Republic, Russia.

Materials used:

oil

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