Composition From a Series 'Compositions With Colored Square Shapes' 1981

Hryhorii Havrylenko created this 'Composition With Colored Square Shapes' with watercolor on paper. The artwork’s reliance on simple geometric forms, particularly squares and rectangles, is striking, and the application of watercolor gives the shapes a somewhat softened, textured quality, a contrast to the hard-edged geometry. The interplay between the red and blue shapes creates a dynamic visual rhythm. The color choices here are not accidental, since the pairing of blue and red is politically charged. The layering and arrangement of these shapes suggest a process of careful planning and execution. Given that Havrylenko was working in Soviet Ukraine, the work can be seen in the context of broader social issues and the artist's creative resistance. In appreciating the work, it becomes clear that materials, making, and context are crucial, challenging any distinction between art and craft.