The art of interpreting myths
The Bohdan and Varvara Khanenko Museum of Arts hosts Olha Petrova’s exhibit
It is not the artist’s first exhibit here – she and the museum have long been cooperating closely and fruitfully. This exposition is particular not only in that the master shows the fruit of her reflections and impressions and each of the displayed artworks is simultaneously the end of a certain stage in life and the beginning of a new one, but also in that Olha Petrova celebrated her important birthday on this very day. Yet, looking at this fragile, elegant, beaming-eyed, and charming “heroine of the occasion,” you can’t help thinking that numerals are lying outright.
Olha’s workability and energy inspire profound respect. A mistress who never stops admiring the world and, at the same time, deeply analyzes it, she is an art historian and critic, a Doctor of Sciences (Philosophy) and a professor who has taught a lot of apt pupils “to fly.” She is the author of five serious monographs and over 800 articles. And the area of her solo exhibits has spanned from Kyiv to Tokyo, Tbilisi, and Vienna in the past five years alone.
Through the centuries, myths have been a factor from which many artists, writers, and musicians drew inspiration and gained impetus to the flight of fantasy and everyday reflections. Petrova’s Abduction of Europa shows a characteristic riot of colors and triumph of emotions through which you can feel a bitter aftertaste of today.
IN THE MOUNTAINS OF PROVENCE, 2008
“The new exhibition project of the talented artist, a well-known philosopher and art critic Olha Petrova proves again the topicality of the mythologeme of man-woman relationships, which the author of this painting series has interpreted so artistically,” exhibit curator Olena Mitiakina said, opening the exposition.
The story of a bull and the girl it abducted is for Olha both a source of inspiration and the point of departure in a thrilling play of her rich imagination coupled with broad cultural experience and art preferences. Actually, the plot itself became the guiding “Ariadne’s thread” for the artist, which allowed her to wander in the maze of recollections and subconsciousness in an attempt to understand the eternal theme and create a new, her own, version of the ancient myth.
A WOMAN AND DEMONS
In the artist’s interpretation, the bull and Europa are equal partners – both in terms of relationship and in the mutual desire to be subjugated and defend their own personality. What plays a role here is colors that vary from tender pastel to gaudy red-and-black as well as the very names of the works – Rivals, Toro, Carmen, A Woman and Demons.
As one hall exhibits new thematic works, another displays the well-known highly emotional landscape of the Mediterranean which Olha likes to travel to so much. These pictures, which inspired her to interpret the myth, attracted spectators with the way they depicted the history, beautiful architecture, and ample spaces of that region. It was also possible to buy here two of Petrova’s popular and respected books – The Third Eye and Instances of Private Life – of which our newspaper has already written.
The editorial board shares with pleasure the birthday greetings to Olha Petrova and wishes her good health, creative inspiration, new books, exhibits, and journeys.
