Kate Oh’s Gallery ~ To Become Life: Exhibit with Ukrainian Artists: Miroslav Duzinkevich & Irina Rodnikoff

To Become Life

with Review by Philosopher and Art Critic Ekin Erkan

“To Become Life” features Irina Rodnikoff - a Ukrainian multi-disciplinary artist who works in installation, sculpture, and painting, alongside - and Miroslav Duzinkevich, a New York-based Ukrainian painter whose work is occasionally tinged with social realism. Kat Oh’s decision to display two Ukrainian artists in the midst of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is one that illuminates hope and bolsters the aesthetics of protest. Thus, it is poised in a history of art as protest; yet this response to Russian aggression is not simply one tethered to displaying artists from Ukraine but also indeclinably rooted in what kind of art is displayed. The content proffered by these artists is thus as critical to foreground.

It is significant that, despite a variation in subject matter and approach, these works each speak to the concept of “life” in unique modes. For instance, Duzinkevich’s Calla Lilies takes organic forms of life and naturalism as its subject matter; muted-green stems swoop and arch-like bent back are displayed while lavender-lilac petals rise. The gray backdrop, set across the politically-seeped backdrop of present-day Russia’s aggression, unspools with metaphoric prowess. These could be war-cloaked flowers, or they very well could be flowers set across a dreary, gray, rainy day. Yet these flowers are alive nevertheless, and hence artifacts of persistence.

Duzinkevish’s Still life with garlic is of an entirely different persuasion. There are no living organisms here but artifacts of a life lived; brown, painted pottery and a coffee mug are set beside long spindly garlic upon a crimson-dotted tablecloth. This scene could very well be that of a home or restaurant, but the disheveled indices suggest life creeping at the margins. Notably, this work approaches the concept of life side-on, rather than directly.

A number of abstract works are also featured in the show, including Rodnikoff’s Celestial Sail, Passage Thru Fire, and Urban Labyrinth Triptych. These works use an ethereal color palette of pink and glowing-maroon, with occasional splatters and streaks of expressive blemishes. It is tempting to read situational exigencies into these works (blood, turmoil, etc.) but perhaps one would do better to consider the cathartic act of splatter painting as such, and then understand this painting more directly in line with the theme of “life”. " “To Become Life” is thus an important show, not simply because it shows two Ukrainian artists but because of the subject matter that these works tactfully entertain. ~ Ekin Erkan

STATEMENT BY THE ARTISTS:

Arts and Culture illuminate the better parts of humanity and do not exist on an unrelated platform from political, social, or moral issues. In light of the horrific situation in Ukraine, the whole world immediately reacted by publicly condemning the current aggression.

We are Ukrainian-born artists standing together in solidarity with the people of Ukraine against the tyranny of invasion. To express our support to the people of Ukraine, we will donate all the profit from our sales to non-profit organizations in Ukraine. We stand united with our Ukrainian and international artists and colleagues who share our shock, outrage, and profound sorrow.

Without physically manifesting artistic ideas or concepts, art would not exist. Our work embodies an unrelenting search for the most influential interpretations of ideas about the world we experience.

We do not limit ourselves to one medium, style, or concept - rather, we explore all forms of expression. The world holds much darkness within itself; we believe it is our mission to propagate light so that the world might become a brighter place for us all. ~ Miroslav Duzinkevich & Irina Rodnikoff

To purchase any of the pieces below please go to: https://www.kateohgallery.com/