Iryna Maksymova
Artwork’s Title: Біг пес через овес
Materials Used: Acrylic, spray, pastel on canvas
Studio Based: Lviv, Ukraine
Can you tell us about the process of making your work?
In my practice, I try to convey the emotions and impressions I have experienced as an influence of what really excites and affects me. Experiences concerning myself and the World. At the beginning I prepare a sketch on the pre-thought-out topic, speculate on the composition, colors and the main idea.
But sometimes, this process is spontaneous, I just come to my studio and start creating something on the canvas. The meaning, the concept, the idea comes during the process. Shapes, characters and objects generate thoughts and new stories. The second method often ends with fatal consequences, but the process of growth is never unmistakable. You constantly need to learn and look for new ways to express your thoughts.
How would you define your work in a few words (ideally in 3 words)?
Vividness, madness, high-mindedness.
How did you come up with the idea of this new painting? Is there any story behind this work?
In the hedonism era, humanity developed a wide range of alternatives for having fun: technological advances, AR and VR technologies, extreme sports, theaters and cinemas, Ilon travels to Mars… Thousands variants of pleasures and impressions are available for us as never been before. Why among those there is still a place for animal concentration camps called “Circus”? Why on the way of evolution consumers still derive pleasures from supremacy over animals. People are ready to pay money to watch living creature with penetrated mental health, broken instincts and totally under stress carrying man’s will.
It seems that animals such as dinosaurs, dogs, dolphins, birds or unicorns dominate your imagery. Is a current artistic motif you lately try to examine in your works or is it more a permanent pattern you wish to experiment more in the future?
It is not easy for me to answer this question, inasmuch as I started my artistic practice a year ago, during quarantine. Having such a brief experience, I know foe a fact that I want to convey my thoughts in such a way. Animals help to express ideas of joy, love, feminism, sexism, cruelty or injustice. Someone will say that all these topics have been all over for a long time.. But why should I keep quiet if I have something to say!
Large or small scale canvases dilemma; are there any kind of standards that drive you to decide which surface length is better fitted for your final painting visualisations?
Currently I work on different sizes of canvases, but mostly I like to paint on large canvases.
I enjoy to layer several coatings of paint, use details and textures, scratch, create volumes and dimensions. I lack scope on small canvases. Therefore, I usually use canvases larger than 100x100cm
What would be the best way to exhibit your work?
My works are vivid, I would say hyperverbal. I think the best place for them is a clean, quiet, bright space, where they will not be oppressed and there will be enough space for them to speak for themselves.
Do you ever wonder if additional work was needed, when an artwork’s making process is finished?
I am very rarely satisfied with the result. I’ve got a strong desire to make over almost all my works. I do not allow myself to consider them finished. Not to spoil everything I just photograph them, roll them up and put them aside.
What about the place where you work? What’s your studio space look like?
I have moved from one studio to another twice this year. I am not very happy with current place I work at. I would like to have a bigger, brighter and cozier studio. Anyway, my small room of 17 m² doesn’t affect negatively my creativity, desire to work and to spend time there. I love what I’ve got but I will continue improvements in that regard.
Which are your plans for the near future?
Я працюю над серією робіт для виставки, хоча мені важко дотримуватися однієї теми.
I am working on a series of works for the exhibition, although it is difficult for me to stick to one topic. I hope everything will work out and I will be able to exhibit my pieces in a large, bright gallery.
I will continue to work on the development of my unique style.
This year has dramatically changed my life and I am extremely happy of that. I believe that this is just the beginning and it will further be the way better, brighter and more ambitious.
Additional Paintings
All images courtesy of the artist