Plexus 1989

Editor: This oil painting, "Plexus," by Oleg Holosiy from 1989 is fascinating. The thick impasto creates a real sense of texture and density. It's almost overwhelming. What can you tell me about it? Curator: I'm drawn to the materiality here. Look at how the oil paint itself is handled, the way it’s layered and sculpted on the canvas. It’s not just about representation, it’s about the labor involved, the sheer physicality of the making process. Think about Holosiy's context - this was made in 1989, right before the collapse of the Soviet Union. Editor: That's interesting! I hadn’t considered that. Curator: How does knowing that change how you perceive the work? The impasto application might reflect the tangible burdens of the society at the time, a commentary of mass industrialisation? And note the "plexus" of forms – a network, perhaps suggesting social and political intertwining of labour. What kind of exchange could be happening through these networks, what's the role of production at play here? Editor: It does feel like the forms are all knotted together. Almost suffocating. Do you think there's a critique of consumerism at play? Curator: Perhaps less consumerism directly, and more a critical engagement with the means of production, the very systems that create and control materiality. We're talking about an artist operating within, and reacting to, the socio-political forces that shape his world. He makes us consider labour, its meaning, its toll. Editor: I see what you mean. I initially just saw an abstract painting, but considering the materials and context… Curator: Exactly! We start to think about the unseen labor, the historical and social context. It is really an important layer of understanding to include within our scope. Editor: That gives me a lot to think about. It definitely adds a new dimension to the work!