Untitled 2022

Editor: This is a piece called "Untitled," created in 2022 by Alevtyna Kakhidze. It's a drawing made with pen and ink, with some text included. I'm struck by how direct and almost raw it feels, and by its integration of text and image. What do you see in this work? Curator: I see a powerful intersection of personal and political commentary. The drawing feels like a spontaneous expression, perhaps a page torn from a journal. It resonates with the artist's experience as a Ukrainian, particularly with the phrase at the bottom: "those who are against the war.” The drawing’s seemingly simple, even naive style belies the profound weight of the message. Do you think the child-like quality of the portrait enhances its political message? Editor: I think it does. The directness avoids any sense of artifice. And who is Katharina Fritsch, mentioned above the plant? Curator: Katharina Fritsch is a German sculptor. So the text "and how a PLANT talks to KATHARINA FRITSCH” brings up important themes, notably considering ecology and human relations through the symbolic presentation of flora. The presence of Fritsch grounds Kakhidze’s work within a feminist art tradition that confronts dominant power structures by blurring the boundaries of gender, nationality, and genre. What’s your impression of the use of text? Editor: It feels very personal, as though we're glimpsing the artist's inner thoughts. Also, it creates some opacity, which can be interesting. Curator: Exactly! The combination of Ukrainian text, portraiture, and the mention of a European artist points to a complex dialogue about identity, solidarity, and resistance in the face of conflict. The layered meanings invite us to consider the artist's role as a cultural commentator and activist. Editor: I now see how much depth this seemingly simple drawing holds! It’s amazing how it weaves together personal expression and political messaging. Curator: Absolutely, and it shows us how art can be a potent form of resistance and a call for empathy.