Petrified, Melancholy serie, 2024

Olha Vlasova  

The edges are painted.

The image of a woman frozen in time appears on the canvas. She stands like a pictorial icon or a marble sculpture, detached from the mundane.

Her expression does not reveal the mystery hidden in the depths of her soul. Frozen in her own serenity, she appears unshakable, impervious, and lifeless. However, the halo surrounding the figure resembles a stained glass window, revealing the duality of the image and telling of the fragility of her emotions. It underscores that vulnerability, pain, and sensitivity can lurk under of feigned strength and control.

The "Melancholy" series of paintings reveals the inner world of a person lost in his own emotions. When inner reflection takes precedence over life itself we strive to uncover our essence and understand who we truly are.

This collection delves deep into reflections on self-discovery and one's nature. The paintings are imbued with sadness and quiet serenity, while the blue and purple color palette emphasizes the magical and unreal quality of the scenes depicted.

The symbolism of horses in the paintings embodies inner forces that can be either wild and untamed or tamed and controlled. It reflects the struggle with inner conflict and ambiguity.

The artist hopes that viewers will reflect on their feelings and inner contradictions while contemplating these paintings. Whether they fear sorrow or, on the contrary, seek constant joy without understanding the potential for growth hidden in melancholy.

The purpose of this series is to encourage inner exploration and answer the question of whether melancholy is a problem or a path to emotional growth. The artist believes that the heart of melancholy may be a key to a deeper understanding of oneself and one's emotional landscape.

ABOUT ARTIST

Olha Vlasova is a Ukrainian artist who has been passionate about painting since childhood. She received her higher art education in painting and costume design, which heavily influenced her work. Ornamentation also plays a significant role in her art.

Olha experiments with various techniques and materials, but she finds that acrylics offer boundless possibilities for imagination and exploration.

As a professional artist, Olha is deeply committed to exploring the themes of female sexuality and self-worth. Her goal is to illustrate that a woman's appearance does not diminish her importance or autonomy. Olha asserts that a woman's appearance is her choice, not a means to achieve goals at the expense of men.

As an artist, Olha focuses her research on conveying the personal experiences of women who encounter condescension and the diminution of their value due to sensitivity and femininity. She conveys that the concepts of femininity and seriousness, playfulness and rationality are not mutually exclusive and can coexist.

Olha's work actively participates in the discussion on tolerance and the pursuit of creating a safe space for self-expression. She incorporates themes of new sincerity in her work, embodying the desire to be oneself without the fear of encountering mockery, sarcasm, or societal labeling.

She has extensive artistic experience, and her works are held in private collections in the USA, Norway, Denmark, France, and Ukraine.