SOPILNIAK OLEKSANDR

Member of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine (2015). Laureate of the Regional Prize named after Y. Bokshai and A. Erdeli for the work "Quarter" (2017).

Oleksandr Sopilniak was born on 13 November 1985 in Monastyryshche, Cherkasy region in the family of the artists – a sculptor and an artist of decorative and applied arts Vasyl and Tetiana Sopilniak. He received his artistic education in Uzhhorod – in 2005, he graduated from the Department of Art Processing of the College of Arts named after A. Erdeli, and in 2010 – Department of Art Ceramics of the Transcarpathian Art Institute. It is his parents whom he considers to be the main ideological inspirers in his creativity.

Oleksandr Sopilniak chose ceramics as his main activity. “For me, this is a more ‘compromise’ kind of creativity,” he said. “In ceramics, you can play not only with the shape but also with the colour. If the sculpture made by my father is still a classic one, then ceramics is a rock'n'roll.”

The artist works in various techniques; his works are extremely diverse in subjects. “The definite topics – frameworks that hold me back and do not allow ‘to breathe to the beat of your feet,” the artist said. “Therefore, the main thing is that my work encourages viewers to some contemplations. I want to put an individual idea in each work.” Speaking about the way of implementing his plans into specific spatial objects, the artist emphasizes: “I do my works more like panels because it's really original… By the way, I do not use ethnos in general. I live in my own waves. Everything is at the subconscious level. The main thing is that it's my own!”

Oleksandr Sopilniak is also engaged in making souvenir products. His creative works, in particular, plaques depicting historical buildings, monuments of Uzhhorod, the life and traditions of Transcarpathia, wonderful bells and magnets, jugs, plates, candlesticks, cups – decorated by the traditional motives of the region.

In general, critics note that all the works of the artist are distinguished by originality and colour, a special vision of the world. However, this is not just a sense of harmony or the ability to see the beauty – every work of the artist has a profound philosophical focus on everything ("Cat", "Time Flow", "Maestro").

Since 2008, O. Sopilniak has been a regular participant in youth, regional and republican exhibitions. The last exhibition, "Trio. Various ", took place in the gallery "Uzhhorod" in April 2017, where the work of Oleksandr and his parents were presented.

The artist's works are in private collections in Ukraine and abroad.