Alek Tretiak
"I use different kinds of art: painting, drawing and sculpture, sometimes combining them. I portray people, nature and my own thoughts. Often my tools for interpreting the meaning of artwork are allegories and metaphors, abstract symbols and unique patterns.
I find something wonderful in the grey everyday life. I display that part of the world that's hard to take my eyes off of. It could be a naked body, a flower, or a random ray of sunshine. In my subjects, I also show the other side of the essence of this object of a surreal or abstract style. It's an inherent part of the world order - everything has two sides at least.
In my artworks I explore subconscious phenomena, feelings and desires, I interpret my philosophical reflections on the construction of the human personality and its relation to the outside world. I explore Reality, integrating elements that may not exist but which reflect the atmosphere and mood, the deep meaning of the moment depicted.
From this quest comes the hallmark of my artworks - the combination of classical and expressive painting techniques. In composition and subject matter I juxtapose brightly accented spots of colour or technique and complement them with contrasting textural elements. I often incorporate unique ornaments into my paintings, using the author's patterns of varying complexity.
I find something wonderful in the grey everyday life. I display that part of the world that's hard to take my eyes off of. It could be a naked body, a flower, or a random ray of sunshine. In my subjects, I also show the other side of the essence of this object of a surreal or abstract style. It's an inherent part of the world order - everything has two sides at least.
In my artworks I explore subconscious phenomena, feelings and desires, I interpret my philosophical reflections on the construction of the human personality and its relation to the outside world. I explore Reality, integrating elements that may not exist but which reflect the atmosphere and mood, the deep meaning of the moment depicted.
From this quest comes the hallmark of my artworks - the combination of classical and expressive painting techniques. In composition and subject matter I juxtapose brightly accented spots of colour or technique and complement them with contrasting textural elements. I often incorporate unique ornaments into my paintings, using the author's patterns of varying complexity.
I play with a variety of materials and techniques, and in fact, I am proud of my lack of academic training in art. It gives me freedom and encourages me to push the boundaries of creativity. It encourages me to create something amazing and different. Every time I finish an artwork there is an unparalleled pleasure which I try to pass on to the viewer. I allow the viewer to share my emotions and give them new ones. By making them solve visual puzzles and look for hidden meanings, I try to touch their beating heart, to prod them to think. And I always want to remind him of the transience of human life. To remind him to pay more attention to the bright moments and try to be happy with the hustle and bustle of everyday life.” - [Artist Statement]
The Resistance
Progress of work
"Also, I often touch upon social, political and psychological themes in my artworks. Lately, a topic that particularly worries and scares me is Russia's bloody invasion of a Free Ukraine. I feel guilt, sorrow and rage. I have lived and worked around people whose overwhelming majority either silently approve or openly support this barbaric aggression and mass murders. It was incredibly depressing for me, and I was forced to express myself only on canvases, because protesting in the street with a placard makes no sense in a totalitarian state. And even for that I risked being punished.
So I felt it was my moral duty to leave this country. As soon as it became possible, I moved to Georgia.
I think that the tragic events of the mid-twentieth century may be reflected here and now, with the difference that "The Fascists of the future will be the anti-fascists". It doesn't matter who the author of this quote is, because I have seen its veracity all around me every day. Soviet upbringing and years of propaganda have done their dirty work on the minds of Russians. I have a good knowledge of history and know what people who believe their nation is exceptional are capable of."
So I felt it was my moral duty to leave this country. As soon as it became possible, I moved to Georgia.
I think that the tragic events of the mid-twentieth century may be reflected here and now, with the difference that "The Fascists of the future will be the anti-fascists". It doesn't matter who the author of this quote is, because I have seen its veracity all around me every day. Soviet upbringing and years of propaganda have done their dirty work on the minds of Russians. I have a good knowledge of history and know what people who believe their nation is exceptional are capable of."
Artist Statement of contemporary symbolist painter, artist Alek Tretiak
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