FELDESHI PETRO

Honoured Artist of Ukraine (2006). A Member of the Artists Union of Hungary. Twice laureate of the Regional Prize named after Y. Bokshai and A. Erdeli in fine arts (1999) and in 2014 – for the deep and symbolic works “Heavenly Hundred” and “Hey, Duck is Swimming”.

He was born on 22 June 1944 in Mukachevo, Transcarpathia. According to his recollections, his first attempts at monumental murals were drawings with pencil on the walls behind the wardrobe. His neighbour was a talented painter and pedagogue Mykola Medvetskyi, who played an important role in the boy's acquaintance with the basics of painting.

In 1963, Petro graduated from the Department of Decorative Painting of the Uzhhorod School of Applied Arts (his teachers were – E. Kontratovych, S. Petki, A. Shepa, and P. Balla).

Upon completion of the training, he was called to army. He served in the Moscow region (Russia), and then for almost ten years, he was working there in the monumental-decorative art, creating more than a hundred works.

Later he returned to his native land and actively joined the production activities of the Art Fund. Since 1978, Petro Feldeshi has been a member of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine. In the early works of the artist, painted in the realistic manner, one can notice the style of such competent figures as F. Manailo, A. Shepa, E. Medvetska. The artist was fortunate enough to have an art studio in the neighbourhood with his teacher, a famous representative of the Transcarpathian school of painting Ernest Kontratovych. He warmly recalls conversations with a talented teacher.

Over time, Petro Feldeshi formed his own style and technique. His works acquired distinct art authenticity, the author's recognition. The artist often uses painting hyperboles, associations, metaphorical imagery. The main subjects of his works are full of ambiguous connotations, allusions, complex allegories and metaphors. And restrained, devoid of sharp dissonances colours as well as accent of painting and plastic forms just intensify the impression of reticence, mystery, ambiguity. Depicted images are intertwined in the decorative lace, symbolizing the cycle of vital passions.

Petro Feldeshi is the author of wonderful watercolours, which he creates on “wet” using “a la prima” technique. Such a technique requires accuracy in the harmonious selection of the tone and colour, the creation of the composition, and the drawings are fascinated by their unpredictability since they are "in motion" until completely dried up.

Along with a soft, poetic watercolour, the artist works in the genre of monumental painting. His works adorn the public space in Russia, Ukraine, Hungary, and France.

Among the artist’s masterpieces, there are several thousand paintings and graphic works, more than a hundred monumental.

Having been with the missionary mission to the Hungarian capital Budapest, he is also actively engaged in organizing summer holidays and recreation at Lake Balaton for Ukrainian children from the ATO area. The artist also participates in charity art events.

Participant of art exhibitions: regional (since 1976), all-Ukrainian (since 1977). The artist is an active participant and organizer in international plein airs and symposiums in Ukraine (in Transcarpathia), Hungary, Slovakia, France, Italy, and Germany. He held over a dozen solo exhibitions in Ukraine, Hungary, Denmark, on the Canary Islands (Spain).

Text: Liudmyla Kozlovska
© Art & Culture Foundation Brovdi Art