Original artwork description:

Squat4
Oil painting Smoke over water

The painting is a striking example of absurdism, with its jarring juxtaposition of a retrograde locomotive and a pink oasis. The locomotive, painted in bold primary colors and featuring an oversized smokestack, is hurtling through the water of the oasis, creating a frothy wake behind it. The flamingos, depicted in delicate shades of pink, are scattered throughout the scene, their long necks craning in alarm as the locomotive disrupts their tranquil environment.

The locomotive itself is a marvel of detail, with every bolt and piston rendered in meticulous detail. Its gleaming metal surface is a sharp contrast to the soft, flowing curves of the oasis, creating a sense of tension and conflict between the two. And yet, despite the apparent incongruity of the scene, there is a sense of inevitability to the locomotive's progress. It is as if the machine has taken on a life of its own, forging ahead through the water with relentless determination.

The flamingos, meanwhile, seem to embody the confusion and alarm of the natural world in the face of this intrusion. Their bodies are stiff and tense, their eyes wide with fear and disbelief. And yet, despite their unease, there is a sense of resilience to them, as if they will find a way to adapt to this new reality, no matter how absurd it may be.

Overall, the painting is a powerful statement on the nature of progress and its impact on the natural world. It challenges the viewer to question their assumptions about what is possible and what is desirable, and to consider the consequences of our relentless pursuit of progress at all costs.

*** ABOUT THIS PAINTING ***
* TITLE: "Smoke over water"
* ARTISTS: Igor Konovalov, Anatoly Varvarov, Sergei Kornievsky, Eduard Potapenkov,
Vladimir Padun
* SIZE: 290x190 cm/'114,17x74,80 inches'
* MEDIUM: oil, canvas
* HAND PAINTED: Original painting from our collection
* CONDITION: we tried to convey the maximum information with the help of photos about this product

About the artists: A group of Ukrainian artists, united by their studies at the Dnepropetrovsk Art College and the National Academy of Arts (NAOMA), represent the art community "Squat on Olegovskaya" in the art space of Ukraine. The history of this society, founded in the early 1990s, reflects the dynamic development of the author's artistic concept in the context of national art at the turn of the century. This group of artists has gone through a creative path from the first "quiet" exhibition "Leaf Fall" (1993) to bright and large-scale projects at the beginning of the 21st century.
Squat participants:
IGOR KONOVALOV
Born in 1965 in Novy Bug, Ukraine
Graduated from the Dnepropetrovsk Art College. E. V. Vuchetich (1983-1987)
National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture (workshop of easel painting by V.V. Shatalin), (1987-1993), Kiev
Member of the art commune "Squat on Olegovskaya" since 1993
Author of the project - "Fictitious Gallery Expedition" (1996-2006)
Lives and works in Kyiv

ANATOLY VARVAROV
Born in 1967 in Kremenchug, Poltava region, Ukraine
Graduated from the Dnepropetrovsk Art College. E. V. Vuchetich (1983-1987)
National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture (1990-1996)
Member of the Union of Artists of Ukraine
Received the category of easel painting restorer (1999)
Member of the art commune "Squat on Olegovskaya" since 1993
Lives and works in Kyiv

SERGEY KORNIEVSKY
Born in 1967 in Dnipro, Ukraine
Graduated from the Dnepropetrovsk Art College. E. V. Vuchetich (1987)
National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture. T. G. Shevchenko, (monumental painting workshop), Kyiv (1996)
Member of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine
Member of the creative group "Squat on Olegovskaya"
Lives in Kiev, where he continues to work creatively in various fields of fine arts

EDUARD POTAPENKOV
Born in 1968 in Dnipro, Ukraine
Graduated from the Dnepropetrovsk Art College. E. V. Vuchetich (1983-1987), (painting department, workshop of L. Antonyuk)
National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture (1989-1995), (workshop of easel painting), Kiev
Member of the art commune "Squat on Olegovskaya" since 1993
Member of the art association "Cold VEL" (1993-1996)
Lives and works in Kyiv

VLADIMIR PADUN
Born in 1968 in Dnipro, Ukraine
Studied at the Dnepropetrovsk Art College named after E. Vuchetich (1983-1987)
Graduated from the National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture (1989-1995), Kiev
Member of the art association "Cold VEL" (1994-1996)
Author and participant of the Antidote project (2014-2020)
Co-founder of Bureau ArtNakhodok (graphic design, installation, exposition solutions)
Part of the group "Squat on Olegovskaya"
Lives and works in Kyiv

Materials used:

oil

Tags: