The halls of Yosyp Bokshai Transcarpathian Regional Art Museum these days display the uniquely-colored Carpathian landscapes – at “Echoes of the Carpathians,” the anniversary exhibition by Honored Artist of Ukraine Vasyl Brenzovych, who has recently turned 65.
The display includes more than 50 landscapes, portraits and still lifes presenting the artist’s career in the local painting tradition. Today Vasyl is a renowned master of landscapes, an author of numerous portraits and an artist who professes a bright and creative individuality. His path in great art began in early childhood – almost every page of every school textbook, from the very first primer, he “complemented” with his own pictures. The teachers treated his artistry with restraint; his father, who himself dabbled in painting – with understanding.
The work ethic and willingness to learn have been of the utmost importance throughout his creative life. In the heart of his style lie the traditions of the Transcarpathian school of painting – inherited from the European school of Impressionism – the richness of color, variety of shades of colors, decorativeness, harmony with nature. The painter has honed his skills during many plein airs in the Carpathians, where he enriched himself not only with charming contemplations of mountainous horizons, but also with friendly advice from more experienced artists. One time he was drawing piles of snow, and utilized an entire range of colors. His colleague managed to use only three colors, but his painting appeared more distinct... And thus Brenzovych learned how to assess the palette of natural colors and transfer to canvas what is the most important. “I do not like when the work boast with brightness. As far as I am concerned, bright paintings are posters, the essence of which you know at a glance. I want the viewer to be immersed in the perception, to lead a kind of dialog with the artist, to complement the painting with their imagination,” reflects the artist.
The artist’s personal contribution to the cultural space of the country is extremely valuable. For more than 20 years he, as Honored Artist of Ukraine, has been leading the Union of Professional Artists of Transcarpathia. He cares about preserving the local traditions in ethnography, folklore, and architecture; he conveys his experience to young painters of the Silver Land. Among the younger generation are his two sons – professional artists, graduates of Transcarpathian and Lviv art academies. Their creative style is honed in the creative competition and discussions with the father.
Literally on the day after the opening, Vasyl Brenzovych took an easel, palette, and paints to the car and went back to his element – the mountains. This time he enjoys the horizon near Synevir Lake, the mountain passes, waterfalls, and other charming places of Transcarpathian heartland – Mizhhirshchyna. Soon he will bring us more paintings of those dear to the heart moments of Verkhovyna late summer.
