I.V. Garden 2021

Pavlo Makov created 'I.V. Garden,' a print which invites contemplation on the themes of identity and place. Makov, born in the Soviet Union and later based in Ukraine, brings a unique perspective that resonates with the complexities of post-Soviet identity. The work depicts a garden, meticulously arranged in rows, bearing the marks of human intervention. It stands as a powerful metaphor for imposed order and control. The emotional impact of the piece lies in its ability to evoke feelings of both harmony and constraint. Makov’s personal experiences of cultural transition and the search for identity in a changing world are palpable. It is a reflection on how political and social structures shape our understanding of self and community. The garden, in its ordered beauty, becomes a meditation on freedom, control, and the search for individual expression.