Eight Compositions 1965

This work, *Eight Compositions* by Hryhorii Havrylenko, presents a series of enigmatic symbols rendered with stark simplicity. The first four squares feature labyrinthine designs, reminiscent of ancient Greek maze patterns, symbols of initiation and the search for knowledge. Note how these designs evoke a sense of wandering, of being lost, but perhaps also of finding one's way. The cross-like forms in the lower squares may recall Christian iconography. However, they are presented here in various states of distortion. This divergence from the traditional symbol echoes through history, notably in the alchemical symbol for the elements. The collective memory embedded in such forms can have a profound effect, tapping into primal human emotions and spiritual yearnings. These motifs are not static; they evolve, are reinterpreted, and resurface in unexpected ways. This composition speaks to the cyclical nature of symbols.