Fioland 2009

Arsen Savadov’s “Fioland” is like a wild party thrown onto canvas. There’s a feeling of anything-goes experimentation in the way Savadov mixes up styles and subjects. The earthy palette and loose brushstrokes give the whole scene a kind of dreamy, mythical quality, like peering into a half-remembered legend. This painting is just packed with figures and objects, layered and crammed together in a way that feels both chaotic and deliberate. Take a look at the group of figures on the left – they almost seem to be observing the madness, or maybe they’re part of it too. The texture is rich and varied, with some areas thickly painted, almost sculpted, and others thinly washed, creating a push-and-pull effect that keeps your eye moving. Savadov reminds me a bit of early Neo Rauch in the way he constructs these bizarre, theatrical scenes. But “Fioland” feels more personal, more raw, like a glimpse into Savadov’s own, very unique world. It’s art that invites you to wander, to get lost, and to find your own stories within the chaos.