Composition From a Series 'Compositions With Colored Square Shapes' 1981

Editor: This is "Composition From a Series 'Compositions With Colored Square Shapes'" by Hryhorii Havrylenko, made with acrylic paint on paper in 1981. The red geometric shapes layered on blues, greens, and whites give it a playful yet structured feel. How do you interpret this work? Curator: For me, it's impossible to divorce this piece from its historical context. This was created in 1981, during a period of political repression in Ukraine. The vibrant, almost defiant use of colour, the rigid geometric forms – could this be a coded form of resistance? Consider how abstraction, particularly geometric abstraction, has been used to subvert dominant ideologies. Do you see any parallels between the artist’s personal experiences and his artistic expression? Editor: I hadn't thought of it that way. I was focusing more on the purely visual aspects, but it makes sense that the political climate would influence the artist’s choices, even in abstraction. Is the placement of those squares supposed to evoke a sense of order amidst chaos? Curator: Precisely. What I find compelling is the tension between the seeming simplicity of the shapes and the potential weight of meaning they carry. This contrast invites us to consider the role of the artist as a subtle commentator. The colors, too, might have symbolic weight, echoing those found in Ukrainian folk art, potentially linking Havrylenko's work to cultural heritage. Editor: So, what I thought was just a nice composition, may actually be a commentary on political tension during that time in Ukraine! I've learned to look deeper. Curator: Exactly. And recognizing art as an expression interwoven with complex histories encourages thoughtful contemplation. There is always more to discover through intersectional analysis.