Girl with a Bus Ticket 1964

Vilen Barsky created “Girl with a Bus Ticket” using charcoal on paper. Barsky, born in Ukraine, lived through the Stalinist era, World War II, and the post-war Soviet period. “Girl with a Bus Ticket” is a disquieting representation of femininity and travel. Rendered in stark charcoal, the figure has two bird-like heads emerging from a single neck and torso, challenging conventional beauty standards. Her body is stylized and fragmented, with the bus ticket acting as a symbolic anchor, suggesting themes of transit and displacement. The frame of dark charcoal marks, give the effect of a surreal window or portal. This work moves past traditional representation to a narrative that captures the complexities of identity and the emotional impact of historical events, offering a potent reflection on resilience. The emotional tone evokes both vulnerability and strength.