Untitled. Srawberry Andreevna 2019

Curator: Here we have Alevtyna Kakhidze's "Untitled. Strawberry Andreevna" created in 2019. It appears to be an ink drawing, perhaps from a sketchbook. Editor: The raw, unfiltered energy jumps right out! The bold, dark blob at the bottom grounds the scene. Is it a shadow, or something more sinister lurking beneath? Curator: Knowing Kakhidze's work, the setting likely alludes to sociopolitical issues in Eastern Europe. The presence of what seems to be a specific flag could be pointing towards an ongoing conflict and its effects on domestic life. Editor: Yes, there's definitely something disquieting. The simple lines contrast sharply with the dark mass at the base. The house feels confining. Note the character inside seems surprised. The line work of the walls seems almost… fragile. Curator: The house motif often represents stability and the personal sphere. With the flag on top of the building, we can ask to what extent that stability is maintained. Consider how the simple style could relate to a personal, perhaps even autobiographical narrative. Editor: I find the minimalist approach striking. Just a few lines, but they convey a lot of meaning. Note the use of blank space to enhance the dreamlike or anxious mood of the figure depicted here. Curator: The use of 'Strawberry Andreevna' in the title gives the work a personalized and almost documentary feel. It connects abstract social issues to lived, individual experience. This humanizes the work, offering insights on local experiences for audiences abroad. Editor: Right, the title personalizes what could be a general narrative. The composition is raw but purposeful in achieving the intended effect: simplicity amplifying the weight of displacement, anxiety and even fear. Curator: Kakhidze prompts the viewer to question notions of home and belonging during times of geopolitical instability. These sketchbook-like works can act as critical commentaries. Editor: I concur! Its stripped-down essence concentrates a formidable message, hinting at personal vulnerabilities, anxieties and conflicts beneath the surface of apparent ordinariness.