Storm 1991

Oleg Holosiy made this painting called "Storm" at an unknown date, with dimensions of 100 by 150 cm. The painting feels like a scene from a tumultuous dream. Look at the dark, brooding marks that seem to capture the raw energy of the sea, how they contrast with the more colorful sections that surround it. I bet Holosiy worked intuitively, letting the painting emerge through layers of trial and error. What does it feel like to be out there? It feels like he was thinking about man versus nature, the insignificance of humanity against the vast, indifferent force of the sea. I find myself drawn to the physical presence of the paint, the way Holosiy has built up the surface with these thick strokes, giving the whole thing a kind of sculptural depth. It reminds me of Auerbach. His work also seems to be built up through an intense, almost obsessive process of layering and reworking. Ultimately, painting is a form of embodied expression, and a conversation between artists across time, inspiring one another’s creativity.