Info

Shop

Vanya Ivan Kazukov

Revitalizing Rural Art: The Exhibition Bringing Culture to the Heart of the Village

In 2021, a personal exhibition was held in Radchino, a village near the city of Vologda. All the paintings looked appropriate and justified only in the context of the village. Mostly, they were still lifes, but there were also a few plein airs.These paintings were a continuation of the landscape and the house.

To fully understand the spirit of these paintings, the viewer needed to be in the space where they were created. This rural series of paintings is important not only as paintings, but also because of their surroundings. Therefore, the best way to understand the painting outside the village was to have a photograph of the painting in its rural environment.


9 drawing on canvas

The aim of this exhibition is to highlight the profound respect that space and natural light can have on the way we experience art.

For too long, we have viewed paintings in the sterile confines of the gallery, where artificial light and controlled environments create a disconnected, clinical experience. But when we allow paintings to exist in the natural world, exposed to the light and air that surrounds us, they take on a new life, infused with a vibrancy and vitality that can't be replicated in a museum or gallery.

By showcasing the same paintings in both indoor and outdoor settings, we hope to illustrate the transformative power of space and light, and to invite viewers to see these works in a new way.

Ultimately, we believe that this exhibition will inspire a greater appreciation for the interconnectedness of art and the natural world, and encourage a more holistic approach to the way we view and experience art.
Summer 2021

The rough textures and subtle variations in color and shape spoke to the rugged beauty of the natural world, reminding the viewer of the interconnectedness of all things. Indeed, it was a reminder that even in the most unexpected places, there is beauty to be found. Through the Muddy Path 2020 (acrylic on tablecloth) As I exhausted my supply of city-brought canvases, I found myself faced with the necessity of creating new ones. It was a challenge, but one that let me down a path of artistic discovery. The canvas itself became an object of beauty, divorced from its traditional place on a wall. I fashioned a new canvas out of sticks and an old tablecloth, and used cheap green acrylic paint that castamere dollar per liter. Surprisingly, the reverse side of the canvas emerged as a work of art in its own right, capturing the simple yet stunning beauty of modern rural life. In that moment, I realized that art could be found not only in the finished product, but also in the process of creation itself.

painting in the old bathhouse Blooming flowers 2020 (oil on canvas) sold As the exhibition progressed, the paintings themselves seemed to take on a life of their own. Each day, subtle changes would occur, a new layer of color here or a shift in he there. It was as if the paintings were mirroring the fleeting nature of the Russian summer - a season that is all too brief, where one moment the world is alive with blooming flowers, only to be transformed into a snowy landscape the very next day. Through these shifting colors and evolving compositions, a certain analogy emerged - a reflection of the transience and impermanence that underlies all of life.

Summer table 2020 (oil on canvas) sold Through a skillful combination of multiple perspectives, this painting creates a sense of space that is both disorienting and intriguing. From a bird's-eye view, we see the plate, tablecloth, and table all at once, while the vase is presented from a side view, appearing almost flat to the viewer. Meanwhile, the glass of water and potted flower are positioned in a three-quarter view, adding depth and dimensionality to the scene. As a result of this intricate interplay of projections, the space of the painting seems to pile up and press in on the viewer, inviting us to explore the strange and wondrous world that has been created before us.



This small village, home to only 10 houses, is a place of extraordinary beauty and tranquility. Despite the fact that only 2 of the houses are permanently occupied, it exudes a sense of warmth and vitality that is truly captivating. It is a place that has captured the my imagination, inspiring a wealth of creative works that seek to capture its essence. Perhaps it is the peace and quiet of the village, or the breathtaking vistas that stretch out in every direction, that makes it so appealing. Or maybe it's the sense of connection and history that comes from having a loved one living there — my wife's grandfather, a living link to the past and a source of inspiration for the future. Whatever the reason, this village has become a touchstone for me, a place of endless fascination and wonder that continues to draw him back time and time again.


Flowers and apple 2020 (oil on canvas) sold I painted a canvas that, while satisfying in its own right, seemed to lack something vital. But once I carried it outside into the bright, natural light, the painting took on a life of its own, its colors coming to life in ways that were impossible to replicate indoors. It was a revelation - a reminder of the power of light and the profound impact that it can have on the way we experience art. The project also served to break down the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces, creating a sense of connection and continuity between the painting and the natural world around it. To witness the interplay of nature and art in this way is a rare and profound experience, one that can open up new vistas of understanding and appreciation for the painting and its place in the world.

This painting, crafted on a handmade canvas pieced together from scraps of sticks and a fragment of an old tablecloth Lost in the Yellow Fields 2020 (acrylic on clothtable)

Red flowers and a blue vase 2020 (oil on canvas) sold Part of exposition on the pea plantation Work in progress in the old bathhouse
Papatya 2021 (acrylic on canvas) sold Painting on the veranda

Home slippers 2020 (oil & acrylic on canvas)


59°51'13.1"N 42°22'19.1"E Summer 2021