Cactuses and Muses

The exhibit of Osyp Kryvohlaz’s works is taking place at the House of Architects. This year the well-known Kyiv artist turned 92! Despite the respectable age the master continues to work actively and with youthful enthusiasm. A professional architect, he was captivated by painting in his forties and this interest of his evolved into a true passion. Interesting abstract compositions, refined stylizations that remind one of prized artists from the past (among them are Henri Matisse and Paul Gauguin), lyrics, grotesque, and pathos — all of these characteristics appear in the various works by Kryvohlaz (It is Good in Haiti, Flutter). However, the artist often appeals to two genres — still life and portrait painting. Still life is a field for experiments, and each one resolves a certain task: the manner of painting, composition, and coloristic — or even a few tasks at the same time (Cactuses). The portraits are not only and not always some concrete models (in fact, almost exclusively women) but rather images generated by the artist’s mood and fantasy. Kryvohlaz’s heroines are modest and coquette, smart and dreamy, and always pretty (The Circus, Spring, Morning, Girl With a Mirror). Among them there is also the Muse of the artist who commands him unconditionally: “Paint as long as you can!”