Love - not love 1989

Vasiliy Ryabchenko created this large-scale painting, titled ‘Love - not love,’ with oil on canvas, using strong brushwork. The paint is applied with different levels of thickness in each area of the painting, giving it a palpable materiality. Ryabchenko employs distinctive textures to draw our attention to the figures, while the background is flatter and less defined. Note the contrast between the smoothed, blended areas and the thickly applied sections which add depth and volume to the subjects. The dark foundation is built up in layers, creating a complex surface. This active engagement with the material invites us to consider the artist's physical involvement in the making process. The use of oil paint, a traditional medium, contrasts with the more contemporary subject matter, sparking questions about the artist's intentions and the dialogue between tradition and modernity. Ryabchenko emphasizes the importance of materiality and making, blurring the boundaries between fine art and craft.