Irony, experiment and pleasure in 2023: the context of Vladyslav Shereshevskyi's personal exhibition

National Museum "Kyiv Picture Gallery", Imagine point
National Museum "Kyiv Picture Gallery"
Date: 24.05.2023
Address: Vulytsya Tereshchenkivsʹka, 9, Kyiv, Ukraine, 01004
Country, City: Ukraine, Kiev
Irony, experiment and pleasure in 2023: the context of Vladyslav Shereshevskyi's personal exhibition, Imagine point
On May 24, the grand opening of Vladyslav Shereshevskyi's exhibition project under the provocative title "Kyivska Perepichka" was held at the National Museum "Kyiv Art Gallery"

Vladyslav Shereshevskyi is a Kyiv artist known for his subtle and ironic approach to painting. Its uniqueness is consolidated in predicativity and the ability to draw attention to the problems of our time using humor and irony. The author's creativity is marked by expressive skill, manifested in the extraordinary ability to accurately reflect the emotional essence with the help of characteristic stylistic images. Given the realities of today, it is worth emphasizing its efficiency and fantastic work speed. Vladyslav can create 1-2 works daily, tirelessly materializing his energy.

At the exhibition, the author presented 75 paintings that actualize the significance of the simple joys of life, which become especially valuable in difficult times. Joking titles of some works add lightness and humor, but along with them, others touch the soul and cause chills on the skin. These are not just collective images; they are an unmasked reflection of the context of the reality of Ukrainians in its merciless beauty – pain, resentment, and heroism.

The symbolism of the exhibition title replicates the artist's artistic approach, reflecting a story from his life. The moment when, to the sound of shelling, he tasted Kyiv pastries for the first time in an establishment that had finally resumed its work, having been temporarily closed since the beginning of a full-scale invasion. This moment is recorded in the work of the same name, "Kyivska Perepichka" (performed in 2023).

According to the author, this momentary impression resulted in the image of a little snow-faced boy with a pie in his hand, wearing a cap with the Nike logo (Nike (Greek: Nike - victory) - in Greek mythology, the goddess of victory), with his gaze directed to the sky, where Calibers and Iskanders suddenly turned into pictures of rockets from children's wallpaper. "Kyivska Perepichka" is a landmark work to be completed because it precedes the cycle of paintings created during the attempt to capture Kyiv and reflects the attitude towards today's realities as a whole.

In everyday objects, Vladyslav sees the true essence of things, which becomes a source of exciting painting experiments, arousing the audience's appetite and something more. In his works, the artist uses radically different but intense examples, such as the morning sun's soft light, the eyes' warmth, and the taste of your favorite coffee or juicy meat - to convey the importance of simple joys in life.

Another demonstrative and detailed illustrated work is "Mobik" (performed in 2022), which embodies the image of a mobilized soldier of the Russian (read Orkish) army. Among the artist's acquaintances, this work is jokingly known as Chmobyk in the context of making fun of our military enemy. Once again, this reveals the organic state of Ukrainians in their attitude to the army of the aggressor country.

The works presented in the exhibition are unique symbols of our time. They are meant to remind us of our values and, through warm feelings, mobilize our inner strength to overcome trials. The exhibition project "Kyiv Perepichka" also emphasizes the significance of the tandem of art and irony both in the work of Vladyslav Shereshevsky and in life and draws attention to the importance of devoting oneself to the "here and now" moment.

The exhibition will last from May 24 to June 25, 2023.

The article has been prepared for publication in Kyiv Daily.

The author of the text
Art historian and the art manager of the Imagine Point Gallery
Inna Kalenska

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