Composition 1964

Hryhorii Havrylenko created this watercolour composition, the date of which is unknown, but likely sometime during the Soviet era. Havrylenko lived and worked under a regime that, while at times tolerant of artistic experimentation, often demanded adherence to socialist realism. Abstract art during this period became a form of subtle resistance, a way to express individuality. Looking at this composition, we might consider how it embodies a quiet rebellion. The intermingling of colours and forms, which don’t conform to any prescribed narrative, suggests a deeply personal, interior world. The soft washes of colour evoke a sense of longing, perhaps for a freedom of expression not readily available in the external world. The act of creating this work, for Havrylenko, may have been a profound act of self-affirmation in a society that often sought to erase individual identity in favor of collective ideals. This artwork then becomes a testament to the power of art.