“From tourists’ life” project is composed of 11 objects of small-scale sculpture and a big installation, which was presented at TSEKH Gallery in Kyiv. These original objects present diverse sketches on how people spend their time at sea. A chunky man jumps into the water with his arms and legs spread apart; a lady opens her mouth enthusiastically and makes a selfie; a boy had just caught an octopus and stands holding it, confused. Daring, carefree, and somewhat touching – we know these people, because we’ve seen them on the Black Sea – actually, on any beach of Ukraine.
Yevhen Petrov has been exploring the theme of vacations for a long time. However, it is the first time he presents a project of purely sculptural objects (the artist is widely recognized as a master watercolorist). “Sometimes I am interested in translating a character I drew into the sculptural form,” says Petrov. “And sometimes when I paint in watercolor, the picture is lacking volume and believability. I want to look at my characters from all sides, to see how they look from every angle. In that case, I sculpt.”
In his works the artist combines seemingly incompatible materials: a modern polymer mass, resin, and some “sea junk” – a stone, or a piece of wood found on the beach. The figures resemble ancient Cretan sculptures one may find in excavations. Their matte bodies contrast with the glossy – almost real – water.
Petrov’s first project at TSEKH Gallery was presented in 2007. “I like the diversity of his artistic incarnations,” says Oleksandr Shchelushchenko, director of the gallery. “Every Petrov’s work – be it watercolors or plastic – is easily recognizable by the subject. They are postmodern, surreal, and ironic. The scenes don’t seem real, but they do have some Southern vibes in them.”
However, Petrov has decided to abandon the theme of beach hiking, because he had exhausted it. Therefore, the large installation of “From tourists’ life” project bears the symbolic title “The Last Eduard.” A man accelerates into the water. This is a collective image, a kind of character from the past, who is stuck in yesterday. Petrov explains: “There are people who come from the Soviet Union, love beer and conversations in front of a TV-set. As ever, they come wearing big shorts to Langeron beach in Odesa to swim and discuss various events.”
Eccentric beachgoers of Yevhen Petrov can be seen at “From tourists’ life” exhibition, which is running at TSEKH Gallery through July 16.
