On April 25 the art gallery “Triptych ART” presented the exhibition of the works by Anna Kryvolap. The exposition features the art works made by the artist over the past eight years.
The art world has known about the art work of Anna Kryvolap for a long time back from the 1990s. Her paintings were exhibited in Ukraine and also in Germany, Holland, Turkey, and Georgia. Renowned historian Orest Subtelny once said that Kryvolap’s paintings are “the unique color travel in space and time for which there is no geographical or historical boundaries.” Shortly before the opening of exhibition The Day spoke with its author.
Why the works created in such a long period of time – from 2004 through 2012 are presented at this exhibition?
“The thing is that I have three or four series I’ve been working on in parallel. I began working on the series that will be presented on April 25 back in 2004 and am still working on it.”
Your previous exhibition featured many landscapes, while this exposition includes only paintings of figures. This is a big change. What is the reason for this?
“I still do landscapes of Kyiv and other places. In fact, I am now making a catalogue on this subject. The ‘Variations’ is a fundamentally different series and approach. It is rather an attempt to look not at what is outside (meaning landscapes, horizons) but to have a look inside.”
If a stranger who knows nothing about you would come to the Triptych ART will he be able to get an impression of what the art of Anna Kryvolap is?
“It is difficult to answer this because it all depends on the person, too. I think that yes, he would be able, because the works that are presented by the artist usually give the general impression about his artistic work. Otherwise there would be no sense in having solo exhibitions.”
Was it specially planned that the exhibition would begin The Day before your birthday which you will celebrate on April 26?
“I have already developed a tradition to have exhibitions on my birthday. This one was not an exception. In fact, I was preparing it as a generalization of a certain period.”
In one of the comments on the website of Anatolii and Anna Kryvolap a user wrote that your works are kitsch. What does kitsch mean for you personally?
“Every artist has his own understanding of kitsch. Today there are artists who try to make it by all means going beyond any limits of common sense. As for myself, given the overall system of contemporary art nowadays, I seem to be almost a ‘classic’ artist.”
How often do you receive invitations to take part in collective exhibitions? With whom of the contemporary artists could you have a joint exhibition?
“Generally not very often. I was always able to organize solo exhibitions, thus, I never felt any need to have collective exhibitions. However, there were collective exhibitions I took part in, including the ‘Hurzuf Seasons.’ I should say that it is a completely different experience. Useful experience. Whom of the modern Ukrainian artists I could have a collective exhibition with? Frankly, it is difficult to answer this because I myself have been thinking about this for a long time now and I still don’t know the answer to it.”
You are actively communicating with the audience on your personal website. It doesn’t happen very often. Do you keep your own blog?
“Any picture should convey emotions. And the website is one of the tools for detecting people’s reactions, including the reactions to my art. I don’t have a blog. If I started to keep various blogs I would have neither energy nor time for my art. Artists always lack both because they have to be able to express the most important things.”
The exhibition of Anna Kryvolap’s works in the art gallery “Triptych ART” will be open for two weeks. Admission is free.







