past
PHOTOSYNTHESIS Artem Volokitin. Tatyana Malinovska. Vitaliy Kokhan
16 November —
11 December 2016

selected works

about

Voloshyn Gallery presents a group project by Artem Volokitin, Tatyana Malinovska and Vitaliy Kokhan.

Photosynthesis is an exhibition-workshop, a laboratory where exposure is research, captivity and an experiment. At the same time it becomes a space for work, creation and cultivation of new experiences. Based on scientific principles, the process of photosynthesis is the Perpetuum Mobile for biological species. From an artistic point of view, the conversion of sunlight into life energy of organisms is full of aesthetic relapses, philosophical meanings and emotional images. The Photosynthesis exhibition will feature paintings, videos and installations showing three authors' points of view on the phenomenon of photosynthesis.

"The concept of photosynthesis involves a saturation act of a plant and the emission of energy by them, which ultimately ensures the existence of life on Earth. Photosynthesis is an everyday process of magical transformation of one substance into another, showing the relativity and interconnectedness of the material and spiritual worlds. The word exactly defines the atmosphere of the exhibition, where the works by Artem Volokitin, Tatyana Malinovska and Vitaliy Kokhan are presented. United in one space, the works give the impression of a unified ensemble, despite the emotional and stylistic eclecticism.

Thus, realistic living black and white gardens depicted in Volokitin's paintings turn into a mystical interior under the influence of artificial rays of baroque lamps. The alarming and at the same time joyful expressiveness in Tatyana Malinovska's works, for some reason creates a sense of tranquility and genuineness of events. Vitaly Kohan's living works with their multi-faceted symbolism enliven perception making it voluminous and textured. Photosynthesis in nature is the alternation of light phases, giving the plants the opportunity to come to the world and grow, and the dark periods, when they can only breathe in anticipation of light, or in tune with life that is leaving them. Therefore, the exposure is a never-ending dance of meanings that are born, blooming and dying away, depth and fantastic nature of common metamorphoses, and inexhaustible potential of emotions," says Ulyana Kurganova (fine art and culture expert).

Artem Volokitin was born in 1981 in the city of Chuhuyiv, Kharkiv region, Ukraine. He graduated from Kharkiv State Academy of Design and Arts. The artist completed an internship at Antony Gormley's painting studio in London. In 2011 he became the Main Prize Winner of the Pinchuk Art Centre, which allowed him to make his first appearance in the parallel program of the Venice Biennale in 2011. In 2015, Artem Volokitin participated in the main program of the Venice Biennale, his works became part of the Ukrainian pavilion "Hope!". Over the past three years his canvases have visited London's Saatchi Gallery, the Ukrainian Institute of America, Inc. in New York, as well as the Danish fair Art Copenhagen and German Koelner Liste. The artist lives and works in Kharkiv, Ukraine.

Tatyana Malinovska was born in Odessa in 1980. She graduated from the Sevastopol art school in 1995. In 2001 she graduated from the Department of interior organization, exhibitions and advertising in the Kharkiv State Academy of Design and Arts, and in 2005 graduated from the department of monumental painting of the Kharkiv State Academy of Design and Arts, V. Gontarova's art workshop. From 2002 to 2007 she studied and worked in E. Bykov's Bottega art studio. Since 2005 she has been working  in cooperation with Artem Volokitin. From 2010 to 2016 she has been the co-curator and artist in eight large-scale women's group art projects, such as Women Secret Mystetskyi Arsenal, "Zero Without a Stick" in Yermilov Center, Toy Story in Voloshyn Gallery. She is a part of the curatorial team and an artist in several mixed projects, such as the "Botanica" at Lavra Art Gallery. Her works are presented in museum and private collections. Tatyana Malinovska lives and works in Kharkiv.

Vitaliy Kokhan was born in 1987 in the city of Sumy. From 2002 to 2006 he studied at the Sumy Arts and Culture College named after D. Bortnyanskyi. From 2006 to 2012 he was a student at the Kharkiv State Academy of Design and Arts at the Monumental Painting department. Since 2005 he has been a constant participant of the International Land Art Symposium "Space Borderland" (village of Mogrytsya, the village of Meeropolye). Since 2008, a recurrent participant of land art festival program "ArtPole". In 2013 he participated in the program of K.A.І.R. residences (Slovakia, Kosice). The artist lives and works in Kharkiv.