Drawing as the cornerstone of true art

Den has already communicated to its readers the good news of the Triptych Gallery reopening at its home at Andriivsky Uzviz in Kyiv after more than a year-long involuntary hiatus. The gallery marked its reopening by launching “Ours” exhibition, a joint project of the graphic artist Mykola Muravsky and the sculptor Oleksii Vladimirov.

It should be noted that this exhibition combines sculptures and drawings, setting high the bar for the authors’ aesthetic aspirations. This is not surprising, as the Triptych has worked to create a happy union of the artist and the audience for almost a quarter of century.

“The art as a divine inspiration and the man as creator of art are the semantic key to Muravsky’s works,” art critic Kateryna Husenkova says. “People in the artist’s portraits are all   living individuals, and not some generalized characters. Each portrait is the product of a wonderful meeting, subtle psychological relationship, knowledge of the individual and their creative processes. The artist stands close to the world of his contemporaries, people of the same spirit, as they speak the same language of art that has the amazing power to unite. Muravsky uses line drawing, contour drawing, and tonal painting, achieving the most accurate and convincing realization of his plastic ideas. A variety of techniques and methods enrich and complement each other, making for some new and sometimes unexpected juxtapositions.”

The artist says his inspiration has been Italian art, particularly of the Mannerist school. He feels it to be “the most sensual current.” “I admire Duerer, too, and traveled to Germany to look at his works. More than inspiration, they provide me with understanding that nothing will ever surpass them, as they are eternal,” Muravsky says.

In addition to graphic works, the artist is well known for his portraits. Indeed, portraits by Muravsky are no less poetic than the classic works of bygone eras... They feature amazingly attractive, inspired faces. To convey the richness and diversity of the senses, external and internal harmony, Muravsky goes back to drawing, that cornerstone of art. Emulating nature’s easy ways, drawings contain inexhaustible means of expression and vividly artificial texture in them, meditate and contemplate.

We are witnessing a revival of strong interest in the new Realist art. Unfortunately, temporary oblivion has resulted in significant losses. Good drawing skills have become an exception, a rare virtue, a hermetic knowledge. However, these skills are required for every professional artist, one’s specific field notwithstanding. It is no coincidence that best painters all have excellent drawing skills, as drawing means seeing the big picture, thinking and analyzing it. Many years of daily work, a good training, and in-depth knowledge of world art heritage – these have been the foundations of Muravsky’s professionalism.