An Elephant Calf That Wants to Fly

The title of a solo exhibit by the young Kyiv artist Lesia Kara-Kotsia, now showing at the Griffin Art Gallery, sounds like a slogan, almost like a vow: “I Will Give the World a Smile.” She says, “It’s easy to let yourself have a dream. All you have to do is use brushes and bright paints, and start painting.” She does not set herself big tasks. She populates a world of her own creation with colorful and interesting creatures, enthusiastically inventing beautiful attire and chimerical habits for each one. Among her characters are a Siren, a Little Mermaid, an Elephant Calf eager to fly, and Lemur the Galapagos Sailor. Lesia Kara-Kotsia’s work is occasionally reminiscent of Maria Pryimachenko (“See what she did? She swallowed the sun!”). Some of her other works could be a fitting addition to Edward Lear’s bestiary (“The Pleasure Garden of Albino Raspberry Weevils”). Her works evoke varying reactions: visitors wonder at the childlike sensibility or are touched by the artist’s imagination. At the very least, the young artist’s works are very appealing and inherently good- natured, reports Oksana LAMONOVA .