LEAF. Personal exhibition of graphics by Maryna Irzhak
2019
On 23 August 2019, in Uzhhorod Rotary Park, it was held the first solo exhibition of works by young graphic artist Maryna Irzhak.
The format of the exhibition was chosen not by chance – the works organically fit into the park space. Trees served as the backdrop for graphic works, and their outfits became a direct subject of artistic research. The subject of the exhibition is the name of the exhibition “LEAF” – leaves.
The idea of creating works originated from observations of the nature surrounding the artist. And here nature acts as a co-author of the works, creating a perfect leaf pattern, and the artist broadcasts the beauty of the smallest details, thereby attracting our attention to its uniqueness.
Maryna tells: “There are plants that are fascinating in their shape, which can be unusual and simple at the same time. Some are attracted by their texture, which on paper seems to reproduce the microchip of their life.”
To create works, the artist chose printmaking technique – printed graphics, which is a print on paper. The approved term “fitoestamp” does not yet exist, but it is represented at the exhibition. Fitoestamp is an imprint of living plants by the method of applying paint and passing under the press of all elements. One leaf allows you to make 2-3 sharp prints. The technical process of printing is similar to the printing of linocut, which she mastered while studying at Uzhhorod College of Arts named after A. Erdeli.
The author claims that the imprint of any plant is exceptional and, despite being made in black and white, it conveys emotions and feelings. Thus, the monochrome work focuses on the texture, not being distracted by colour.
Each work has its own history. For example, a leaf of a catalpa – a tree growing in the central part of the city of Uzhhorod near the cathedral. It is huge, does not fit into the standard format, and that’s why it is interesting. Or a series of works on polaroid images depicting lilac leaves and boxwood. It should be noted that in 2019 these works were exhibited at the exhibition “Graphic Transcarpathia.”
Also of interest are works created using dry menthol leaves, chamomile and rose flowers, maple and fern leaves.
The artist continues to experiment with colour, composition. In addition to printmaking and linocut, the author works in the field of graphic design. At the presented personal exhibition, the artist was primarily interested in the viewer's opinion. For creative development, it is important to have feedback, and in this case, the feedback was received. The viewer not only inertly perceived the picture, but also differently interpreted the work, connecting fantasy images and investing philosophical meanings.
The exhibition took place over several hours of one day, and then will be exhibited in the premises of the cafe “Grant”, in Uzhhorod College of Arts named after A. Erdeli, and then go to Lviv.
Text: Liudmyla Kozlovska
Photo: Nataliia Pavlyk
© Art & Culture Foundation Brovdi Art
