I often ponder the interplay of “self,” “other people,” and “the world.” In this regard, I periodically immerse myself in the history of races, nations, the evolution of cultures, and so on.
During one of such periods, I realized myself between the past and the future, but at the same time in a horizontal connection with people and events in the position of the present, and this connection is very close, as we form a common field and shape our common history. I felt that I am a part of a certain unified world culture.
One day the fascination with national identity made me think about various cultural manifestations, particularly Japanese traditions. Initially I did not intend to reflect this in my work, but later gave myself the freedom to paint “in the flow”. The work opened up to me in a new way with each session, and one day I understood it with all its twists and turns. Soon, a serendipitous coincidence occurred: I started listening to an audiobook with a Japanese protagonist who was trying to comprehend himself and the world through the art of portraiture, using his experience with European painting and traditional Japanese art. Interestingly, I chose the book without knowing the content. This unexpected connection of the subject matter to my current experience further enriched the evolving narrative of my work, which ultimately became a symbolic representation of my journey of bridging the gap between my own heritage and the rich traditions of another culture, as well as between the past and the present.
Blue color for me means harmony, balance, calmness. I have the same feeling about Japanese culture. I imagine a traditional village surrounded by nature, where green fields meet on the horizon with a vast expanse of bright summer sky, free from the skyscrapers and wires of the metropolis. In addition, blue is associated with Japan for the reason that it is an island nation, and therefore water plays a special role in people's lives there.
Oil, linen on wooden bars
This artwork is sold unframed.
Ready to hang.
There is an author's signature on the front and description on the back.
A certificate of authenticity is enclosed.
