Beauty in all its forms

Traditionally, in April, a famous Kyiv artist opens his solo exhibition. This time it’s not the graphic art the artist is famous for, but something totally new – exhibition “Watercolor”! The vernissage is held in the exhibition hall of the National Academy of Arts of Ukraine. The main theme is the beauty in all possible forms. The exhibition features many landscapes which are breathtaking and literally make you dizzy.

“This exhibition is my debut, in a way,” said Andrii CHEBYKIN. “For the first time watercolor painting is presented not in the context of graphic art, but as a separate creation. Of course, I am excited… because when the excitement disappears, there is a chance that an interest to the most important things for an artist – interest and respect of his audience, might disappear as well. I am not trying to introduce some special techniques to once again demonstrate masterly skill of watercolor technique. On the contrary, I try, as much as I can, to use most economical means and reflect the diversity of the world in a rather laconic manner.”

Each watercolor painting presented at the exhibition shows Chebykin from a different angle, not the way we are used to see him in graphic at. Regardless of whether it was spring or watercolor that inspired Chebykin to create light and imponderable compositions, perfectly transparent color and compositions.

“Andrii Chebykin is an artist that works through hints, ethereal images and feelings,” believes the art critic Maria KORZHENOK. “This is what attracts audience to his art, makes them a part of the color play and dance of lines. Just look at his female images. Women in his paintings captivate with their eroticism or radiate silent light of desire. This story appears snatched from memory, graceful curve of the body, lock of hair, dropped sheet… The same polyphony of lines and laconism, at the same time.”

Notably, artist’s watercolor paintings are very diverse. There are art works “of the imagination,” and right next to them there are classic landscapes, portraits, and still lifes painted from nature. These sketches are presented as a separate creative theme of the artist. In all his paintings Chebykin remains open to his audience and open to interlocutor, always optimistic and it’s felt in the irrepressible impulse of energy.

The paintings presented at “Watercolor” exhibition show the retrospective of the artist’s creative life. Visitors of the exhibition can easily trace interesting evolutionary changes in the author’s manner of painting. Variety of compositional techniques proves that the creative search of the artist still continues.

“Watercolor” exhibition is open until May 17.

The Day’s FACT FILE

Andrii Chebykin is People’s Artist of Ukraine (1992), winner of Taras Shevchenko National Prize of Ukraine (2007), winner of Ivan Ohiienko Prize (1995). Chebykin was awarded with M. Grekov Gold Medal (1990), Order “For Merit” of First (2007), Second (2003), and Third (1997) degree. He participated in numerous national and international exhibitions. His solo exhibitions were held in Dnipropetrovsk, 1948; Mykolaiv, 1987; Vinnytsia, 1988, 1995; Kyiv, 1990, 1993, 1996, 1999; Poltava, 1993; Kamianets-Podilsky, 1994; Lviv, 1995, and others. His art works are stored in the National Art Museum, Kharkiv Art Museum, Tretyakov Gallery, and other museums and private collections in Ukraine, Russia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Poland, the USA, Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Israel, Japan, Great Britain, Jordan, and the Netherlands. Chebykin has diplomas from numerous exhibitions.

Andrii Chebykin is a well-known graphic artist, since 1989 works as a rector of the Kyiv State Institute of Art (from 1992 – Ukrainian Academy of Arts, from 1998 – Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture, from 2000 – National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture), since 1997 is the President of the National Academy of Arts of Ukraine.