Excerpt from The Ukrainian Weekly, New Jersey, USA, June 2004
ART REVIEW: “Reprise” at the Canadian Ukrainian Art Foundation
By Halyna Kostiuk
TORONTO - Three artists - Irma Osadsa, Christina Senkiw and Vera Yurchuk - had their work exhibited at the Canadian Ukrainian Art Foundation Gallery in Toronto March 21 - April 4.
The exhibit was remarkable for its variety of genres and styles. Each artist has a distinct artistic profile and an original personal technique. Although the three participants of the exhibit are very different from each other, the well-planned installation uses the gallery space very effectively and gives the show an aesthetic unity...
...Bright contrasting colors dominate Ms. Senkiw's work. Her vibrant palette suits the exotic themes and symbols she chooses to paint. The works radiate power, vitality and energy, and create an optimistic mood. The artist uses clear, dazzling color and avoids half-tones. She achieves depth in her compositions through the use of color, not lines or tonal shading. This shallow pictorial space gives Ms. Senkiw's paintings a decorative quality.
The artist portrays mythological figures and gods from ancient and distant cultures. The figures are painted in saturated colors. They are richly adorned with colorful ribbons, earrings and beads, which bring to mind the visual language of Ukrainian folk art.
One of Ms. Senkiw's favorite colors is red. Historically, red has symbolized the sun, light and everything spiritual. The artist uses red in this symbolic way. Although most of her works do not have traditional pictorial depth, they have a depth of meaning achieved through the harmony and contrast of colors. A unique characteristic of Ms. Senkiw's work is her treatment of backgrounds. Her backgrounds are not passive elements, but play an active role in the compositions as a whole...
The exhibit "Reprise" brought together three talented and original artists, with different styles, genres, and interests.
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