Hexagram 20 1984

Oleksandr Aksinin’s ‘Hexagram 20’ is like a secret message, etched in shades of red. I can only imagine the artist bent over his printing plate, carefully carving out this mystical scene. The dragon coils upwards, a symbol of power, yet it seems to be emerging from the figure below, perhaps they are one and the same. I think about Aksinin and his journey—he experienced many years of creative suppression by the Soviet regime. This piece feels like a coded expression of hidden truths. That all-encompassing red unifies the composition, creating an otherworldly atmosphere. The textures are rich and varied, and a closer look reveals the artist's mastery. It's fascinating how each mark, seemingly simple, contributes to the overall complexity of the image. Aksinin's art invites us to see beyond the surface, to contemplate the unseen forces that shape our lives. It reminds me that art is a conversation across time, with artists like Aksinin speaking to us through the ages.