Posmihaysia
Voloshyn Gallery is pleased to present Posmihaysia (Smile), Oleksiy Sai’s solo exhibition at the gallery’s Kyiv location. Created as a means of maintaining a sense of normalcy and positivity amidst the ongoing war, the exhibition features a series of lighthearted portraits made in the artist’s signature Excel art style.
Each of them reveals an original character with distinct looks, traits and attributes. Sai utilizes Excel software to construct the figures piece by piece, carefully choosing the colour palette, form as well as the figure’s unique mood and characteristics.
Currently dedicating the majority of his time and artistic efforts towards the production of large-scale sculptures and installations which seek to remind the audiences of the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, both in Ukraine and worldwide, in his free time, Sai continues working on the portrait series as a way of producing something more casual. Despite living through a time of major socio-political change he remains interested in continuing the Portrait series which he began in 2021. The entire series can, therefore, be viewed as a single art object, indicative of an artist’s attempt to regain, albeit only for a moment, a sense of pre-war normalcy, when such cheerful colourful works were the majority in his portfolio.
The exhibition invites the viewers to unwind and enjoy the lighthearted portraits of Oleksiy Sai’s imaginary characters, which remind us that there is a place for happiness even in the most challenging times.
Opening Reception: 5 June, 18:00
Exhibition dates: 6 June - 13 July, 2025
Gallery hours: Wednesday - Sunday | 11:00 - 18:00
Address: 13 Tereshchenkivska st, Kyiv, 01001
