Sketch of the Mosaic Panel 'Friendship' for the Exterior Decoration of the Administrative Building of the Ternopil Cotton Mill 1974

This is a sketch on paper by Valerii Lamakh for a mosaic titled ‘Friendship’. It looks like it’s made with gouache or tempera, something that dries quickly, with a matte finish and strong colour. The paint application is pretty straightforward; the artist isn’t trying to hide the process. You can see the brushstrokes, and how the colours are laid down next to each other to create a sense of form and depth. There is something beautifully simple about this; it isn’t overworked or fussy, but captures the essence of the subject. Look at the way the blue lines define the white cloth, creating a sense of volume and movement. They are not perfect, but it is this imperfection that makes the work so alive. Lamakh’s commitment to making art accessible is something I feel drawn to. His work reminds me of Léger, especially in the way he reduces figures and objects to their essential forms. Like Lamakh, I want my work to embrace ambiguity and multiple interpretations, opening up a space of imagination for the viewer.