Small Rosarium “West” 2010

Pavlo Makov created "Small Rosarium “West”" with ink and watercolor on paper. The graphic quality of the piece suggests a blueprint or map, but the organic feel of the marks destabilizes any real sense of order. I'm drawn to the contrast between the graphic, almost architectural rendering of the garden’s layout and the fluidity of the ink washes. There’s a tension between control and chance. The ink pools and bleeds, creating a sense of depth and shadow. The thin washes let the paper breathe, giving the impression of a world both present and ephemeral. The piece is a symphony of greys with touches of faded red, which adds a layer of unexpected beauty. The individual marks create a sense of movement, making the garden feel alive, like it’s constantly changing. The labyrinthine quality is interesting, reminding me of Piranesi’s etchings of impossible architectural spaces, with their sense of mystery and the infinite.