ART REVIEW: "Reprise" at the Canadian Ukrainian Art Foundation

by Halyna Kostiuk

TORONTO - Three artists - Irma Osadsa, Christina Senkiw and Vera Yurchuk - had their work exhibited at the Canadian Ukrainian Art Foundation Gallery in Toronto March 21 - April 4.

The exhibit was remarkable for its variety of genres and styles. Each artist has a distinct artistic profile and an original personal technique. Although the three participants of the exhibit are very different from each other, the well-planned installation used the gallery space very effectively and gave the show an aesthetic unity.

Ms. Osadsa's drawings attract the viewer with their exceptionally masterful technique and with the use of a well-developed language of visual symbols. The artist uses geometric and figurative symbols. Birds appear frequently in her compositions. In most mythologies birds symbolize the spiritual element connecting heaven and earth. The title of the series, "Talisman," confirms the artist's spiritual concerns.

In Ms. Osadsa's work all of the symbols create a harmonious unity. The compositions are thoughtful and concise - nothing is superfluous. Although most of the drawings are black and white, occasionally, the artist accents a specific area with a splash of color - red or blue. These accents become the center of the drawing and create a specific effect. Although Ms. Osadsa's symbolism is derived from Ukrainian traditions, it is universal at the same time.

Every viewer can find something in Ms. Osadsa's creations that resonates with his or her spiritual inclinations. A good example is her drawing of a Toronto street. The classic composition avoids unnecessary details. The drawing is deceptively simple - an ordinary street - however, it has a powerful effect on the viewer. This kind of stylistic artistry can only be achieved after many years of dedicated work.

Bright contrasting colors dominate Ms. Senkiw's work. Her vibrant palette suits the exotic themes and symbols she chooses to paint. The works radiate power, vitality and energy, and create an optimistic mood. The artist uses clear, dazzling color and avoids half-tones. She achieves depth in her compositions through the use of color, not lines or tonal shading. This shallow pictorial space gives Ms. Senkiw's paintings a decorative quality.

The artist portrays mythological figures and gods from ancient and distant cultures. The figures are painted in saturated colors. They are richly adorned with colorful ribbons, earrings and beads, which bring to mind the visual language of Ukrainian folk art.

One of Ms. Senkiw's favorite colors is red. Historically, red has symbolized the sun, light and everything spiritual. The artist uses red in this symbolic way. Although most of her works do not have traditional pictorial depth, they have a depth of meaning achieved through the harmony and contrast of colors. A unique characteristic of Ms. Senkiw's work is her treatment of backgrounds. Her backgrounds are not passive elements, but play an active role in the compositions as a whole.

Ms. Yurchuk exhibited paintings and decorated furniture. This is an unusual, but original, combination of artistic interests. The clearly decorative character of her art has its roots in Ukrainian traditions: paintings, kylyma and the decorated interiors of village homes. In some of Ms. Yurchuk's canvases one can detect echoes of traditional Baroque floral ornamentation - found in weavings, icons and frescoes. Elegant depictions of women's faces form the center of each composition. They recall portraiture of the 19th century - especially the paintings of Taras Shevchenko.

Ms. Yurchuk's most effective painting is called "Woman with Butterfly." It has an original layout (the center of the composition is the butterfly, not the woman), a well-designed color scheme, and clear, precise lines. This is one of the more outstanding paintings in the show. Ms. Yurchuk's colorful furniture pieces remind the viewer of the ancient Ukrainian tradition of decorating the objects of everyday use for sheer aesthetic pleasure.

The exhibit "Reprise" brought together three talented and original artists, with different styles, genres and interests. Compliments to the Ukrainian Canadian Art Foundation Gallery for creating another successful event.

Translated from Ukrainian by Christina Senkiw.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, June 13, 2004, No. 24, Vol. LXXII

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