Composition 1982

Hryhorii Havrylenko made this painting, Composition, using what looks like gouache or tempera, a medium that invites bold moves and flat colors. It's a party of shapes dancing on the surface, like confetti frozen in time. The materiality here is front and center. Each little blob is its own event, not trying to blend in. Look at the blues and greys in the background – they're not shy. The horizontal band reminds me of a horizon line and anchors the flurry of marks, but it doesn’t give away any secrets. It keeps you guessing. Havrylenko is definitely having a conversation with artists like Joan Mitchell or even Matisse, but he's speaking in his own accent. This painting isn't about answers, it's about the joy of looking. It's like he’s saying, "Here's what I saw, now what do you see?"