"Flashback"

In the modern Kyiv art gallery Portal 11, Oksana Boyko's personal exhibition called "Flashback" is currently on display. The presented paintings and graphics are dedicated to the author's memories of her measured life in Kharkiv, before the start of the full-scale invasion.

For the most part, Oksana Boyko works with the theme of the urban landscape, paying considerable attention to the construction of compositional space. Thanks to this, the viewer, to a certain extent, can feel the effect of involvement in the contextual events reflected in the work. The artist's works are characterized by the complexity of the color organization and composition, which includes several planes and a high level of detail. The author carefully considers the ratio of elements so that they are successfully combined with each other and do not create a feeling of disharmony.

The exposition of the exhibition is built linearly, starting with large panoramic paintings created before the beginning of the Russian invasion. They depict ordinary scenes from the peaceful life of many people today. Gradually, the format of the works changes, and compositionally they are filled with the military realities of the present. The exhibition is finalized with small works of square format. Located 3x3, they appeal to the grid with memories in the Instagram profile. These works are a little vague, not quite accurate, but this is exactly how Oksana remembers her city. A city where she no longer exists.

The article has been prepared for publication in Kyiv Daily.

The author of the text is Art historian, Inna Kalenska, Imagine Point gallery