Catchers (left part of the diptych) 1992

Vasiliy Ryabchenko made this painting called Catchers, probably with oils. It’s part of a diptych, so already we know it’s in conversation with something else. I’m always curious about the moment a painting comes into being. What was Ryabchenko thinking? Was he catching dreams, or figures from his own past? The colour is luminous and strange, with fleshy pinks contrasting against a sky of muted blues. Look at how the pale figure floats above the scene, supported by what looks like a cloud of white gauze. Her gesture is very deliberate. It brings to mind those images of the three graces. Then, the man: he's caught a bird, or it’s been caught for him. His gaze drifts upwards. The dog, upside down, is a nice, playful touch. I can feel Ryabchenko’s sense of humour, his wink. He’s pulling on all kinds of art history and making something new. That’s what painting is: we’re always in conversation with each other, across time, inspiring and challenging one another to see the world anew.