Route 1962

This is "Route," a watercolor piece by Hryhorii Havrylenko. Havrylenko was part of a nonconformist movement of Ukrainian artists during the Soviet era, often marginalized and struggling against a system that demanded adherence to socialist realism. The painting presents a schematic landscape with a series of arrows indicating a path forward, suggesting both physical movement and perhaps, a metaphorical journey. The lines create an image which conveys the weight of societal norms and expectations against the desire for freedom and self-expression. It is a feeling many of us can relate to. Given the restrictions placed on artists like Havrylenko, "Route" takes on deeper significance. It speaks to the resilience and quiet resistance of those who sought alternative narratives, defying the prescribed routes of Soviet ideology. The emotional pull of this piece lies in its simple, yet profound representation of seeking direction in a world that attempts to dictate one’s path.