Composition 1981

Hryhorii Havrylenko made this watercolor, Composition, at some point in the twentieth century, and the way he layers the colors is a real treat. It's like he's not trying to trick you into seeing something specific, but instead invites you to watch him build this abstract world. Look at how the pools of turquoise and lavender sit behind these dark, almost calligraphic shapes. It’s like the background is pushing forward, which messes with your sense of space, right? The paper shines through in places, making the colors feel airy. The dark shapes are applied with a dry brush, I think, so they crackle and break up, giving them a real presence on the surface. That simple X shape near the bottom is really interesting, too. Is it a signature, a kiss, or just a random mark? It’s hard to say, and maybe that’s the point. This piece reminds me a little of Joan Miró's playful approach to abstraction. Ultimately, it’s more about the experience of looking and feeling than figuring things out.