Tatyana Ostapenko Ukrainian American, Lives and Works in Portland, USA
Corner Store - 2019 - Acrylic on canvas Size of artwork: 55.9 x 50.8 cm
This piece punctuates the setting and clothes with bold and muted colors. Faces are blurred. We feel the people moving and standing together, as a whole. Tatyana presents an unveiled scenario of Ukraine’s failed utopia. Under this disquieting lens, everyday life reveals itself in the corners of the banal. Tatyana recalls: “Old women in flowered kerchiefs, leggy damsels desperate for glamour, indomitable middle aged women dragging heavy bags to the bus stop. My people. The future I never had.” By giving importance to former soviet citizens, Tatyana reminds us of those who failed to be documented. Their absence in the official record books compels Tatyana to tell their story. Some of her strong influences are Adrian Ghenie, Caroline Walker and Andreas Zorn. Inspired by the cross between realism and impressionism, Tayana embraces her community through the style of social realism.
Harvest - 2019 - Acrylic on canvas Size of artwork: 121.9 x 91.4 cm
bluebee •M a g a z i n e •
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