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While the Candle Burns

The Akvarel [Aquarelle] Gallery hosts a one-woman show by Natalia Boichuk from Svitlovodsk. Born in Novoheorhiyevsk (currently at the bottom of the Kremenchuk reservoir), she studied in Kharkiv, at the local art-industrial institute. Currently, she teaches painting at an art studio of Svitlovodsk’s children’s creativity center.

Still life is her favorite genre. Her pictures are laconic and outwardly ascetically simple. Natalia Boichuk seems to consciously deny herself all dramatic effects unique to still life (colorful fabrics, exotic flowers, and fake antiquities). She is severely restrained and inwardly very concentrated, hence the selection of attributes and key images: a pale spot of light gleaming on a metal utensil (Moonlight, Black Coffee), flowers that seem to burn from inside (Dying Campfire), a cluster of grapes (Autumnal Still Life). A vase of fruit beside a tall slim bottle shining royal purple inside is perceived as an unthinkable luxury, as an embodiment of festivity with a touch of sadness (Birthday). Finally, many of her still lifes portray a candle, something to which she seems to attach special symbolic significance. The candle is always tall, very thin, and eternally burning. It never dies.

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