Female Corporeality and Religion 2023
Online Art Exhibition
Annunciation
Vlodko Oleshchuk
Inspired by Ukrainian Baroque iconography, particularly by the icon from the royal doors of the Assumption Cathedral in Poltava.
Board, levkas, carving, gilding, casein-oil tempera, oil
48 x 76 cm
2020
Not For Sale
Description
The icon for the royal doors of the Assumption Cathedral in Poltava is designed by the artist in such a way that only the busts of Gabriel and Mary of Nazareth are represented. This monumental laconism of the composition focuses our attention on the faces and gestures of the persons presented. The gaze of both is directed inward as for a dialogue with God. Perhaps this is the moment after the words: “Let it be to me according to your word!”, because Mary’s hands are humbly folded on her chest, which is a sign of submission and acceptance of God’s will. The gesture of the archangel’s right hand might be understood as the blessing or the gesture of a witness (open palm). Both meanings are important, as they confirm the words “you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son” (Luke 1:31). The dialogue is not between Gabriel and Mary, as each of them is dialoguing with God. The expression of the faces, despite the realism of the presentation, is majestic and profoundly "iconic". The sunflower is the flower-symbol of the “Sun of Righteousness” (Mal 4:2) and of Ukraine. (ST)
Volodymyr Oleshchuk
Volodymyr Oleshchuk (b. 1984) is a Ukrainian artist, professionally engaged in iconography and painting on canvas. He has participated in the reconstruction of some of the most prominent monuments of Kyiv, Poltava, and Lviv. He is a member of the Ukrainian Union of Icon Painters. He conducts master classes and seminars on painting technology and levkas (board preparation).
Recently, he has been working in the field of abstract painting, as well as experimenting with video art, photography, and music. He creates works in MediaArt, VideoArt and NFT. He was the author of video art in the music and theater project "Antonych at Home", 2014. He worked as a set designer and video art director in the Opera Myth "Ukraine - Terra incognita", 2021. He participated in numerous exhibitions and open-air events in Ukraine, Poland, Croatia, the USA, and Switzerland.
