“In search of Samādhāna ”
paintings by
Valentina Churilova
“Stars descend on Earth” 12”/14”
Oil,mixed media, canvas
In Search of SamÄ dhÄ na I believe that the real marvel in art is in the process through which it comes to be. I work, I paint, for the sake of the lived experience of a painting that often leads to introspection and inspires deeper revelations. My paintings originate with a desire to depict an observed vision and thereafter follow the demands of the image that emerges on the canvas. It’s to this visual phenomenon that I surrender all my learning and practice of art. Natural surroundings, especially trees, often serve as backdrops for my compositions. I create mixed media paintings with elements of collage. Through detailed renderings, I explore the minutest of components in an observed natural environment. My works begin with such an observed element where the interplay of light and shade creates an atmosphere or situation that has the potential for poetic or philosophical references. This becomes a point of departure that takes the artwork beyond representational level. While adding and subtracting colours and textures I let the painting evolve. I choose inanimate elements for my paintings that are inherently beautiful such as intricately carved chairs or embellished fabrics. The elaborate man-made goods are juxtaposed on the textural patterns formed by leaves, rocks, or clouds. Thereafter my objective is to reveal the interconnectedness of universal aesthetics in nature and creative potential that humans strive to express. All the elements within painting create a matrix that reveals messages driven from our collective consciousness. There is some reoccurring
symbolism in my work: birds that suggest rebirth
through which music may flow. To me, this is the
dismissed as “atheism” and you may exercise
and a liberated self and trees that represent the
common characteristic that unites the
the right to be considered a spiritual seeker who
continuum of life. There are also empty chairs or
recognized masters of art across disciplines and
consider all religions as branches of one tree.
carpets that signify the experience of
time periods. I am inspired by this intangible
I look out for these renewed and reinstated
temporary or permanent displacement or
quality that is present in all great works of art
unitarian notions in the works of old masters as
migration. I explore the dual nature of the
whether by Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Van
well as contemporary artists. It inspires me to
migration in our contemporary era. International
Gogh, or Rameshwar Broota or their
seek greater aesthetics through my own practice.
by its nature, movement of people across the
contemporaries.
borders, presupposes a deeply emotional
When you work you are a flute through whose
challenge to the notions of attachments, bonds
The flow of water is often used as a metaphor
heart the whispering of the hours turns to music”
and ownership as well as potential to dissolve
for unleashed and free-flowing energy and yet
- “The Prophet”, Kahlil Gibran
limitations in one’s spiritual and social evolution.
in terms of science, each molecule must obey the laws of physics. There is a similar dynamic
I employ a variety of historical and contemporary
between creative vision and acquired skills of
techniques as in a postmodern approach. My
an artist. Because my journey as an artist is
paintings thrive with objects that evoke intricate
closely connected to my meditation practice my
Indian painting styles that developed from 16th to
approach to creating art is to seek a balance
19th centuries. In effect, my paintings present an
between doing and not-doing. Both intellectual
amalgamation of European classical,
and emotional intelligence affect the depth and
impressionist, and expressionist techniques with
quality of meditation. However, the depth of
the precisely detailed storytelling elements of the
intelligence can also be evaluated by your ability
traditional Persian and Indian art. This use of two
to let go of controlled, conventional use of
different visual languages allows me to create
intelligence or skill. While working I constantly
Valentina has received training in traditional
suggestions of prose and poetry. Coexistence of
contemplate about how much effort I must apply
representational painting and drawing from the
different styles on one surface further enhances
and how much should I hold myself back in order
School of Kiev, Ukraine, under the guidance of Oleg
my philosophical idea about image making.
for the beauty in front of me to reveal itself. My
Zhyvodkov. While doing BFA at OCAD, Toronto,
About Valentina
task thus involves effortless-effort and surrender
Canada, she experienced the phase of
As I see it, in the natural world everything is
to the perceived image that must be allowed to
non-conformity and steadfastness of Western art.
made with an equal amount of engineering
dictate the choice of the apt painting technique.
Ultimately it was in India where all her learnings
precision and artistic craftsmanship, whether it’s
were put into perspective. Living in this country has
the smallest of particles or the grandest of
The emergence of post-postmodern has ushered
brought about many revelations that have
structures. The only way to become sensitive
in an epoch of reinstated belief in universal
contributed to her spiritual and artistic
to the subtleties of universal aesthetics is by
values as a singular starting point and the final
development. It is the place where eternal primordial
applying consistent effort to discipline the mind’s
destination. In our times’ primal importance is
value system is evident and prevailing in all aspects
attention to the interconnectedness of everything.
being given to the notion of universal archetypes
of life and has withstood the tests of modern and
When you dedicate time and conscious effort to
that adhere to primordial value systems. It was
postmodern “isms.” Here, under the guidance of Shri
your practice, the practice opens you to the
Carl Jung who examined that these archetypes
Rameshwar Broota, she has received the needed
experience of being an instrument for the
are common to all. In contemporary times
setting and framework to allow the integration of the
universal creative force. It’s like being the flute
non-adherence to one organized religion isn’t
traditional with personal and universal.
“Flares of expectations” 14”/16”
Oil,mixed media, canvas
“Flares of expectations” (detail)
“A broken cage” (detail)
“Flares of expectations” (Detail)
Oil,mixed media, canvas
“Bird and broken cage” ( d e t a i l )
“Bird and broken cage” 14”/16”
Oil,mixed media, canvas
“A long summer day ” 12”/14”
Oil,mixed media, canvas
“A long summer day ” (detail)
“A long summer day ”
Oil,mixed media, canvas
(detail)
“Autumn song” 12”/14”
Oil,mixed media, canvas
“Autumn song” (detail)
Oil,mixed media, canvas
“Autumn song”
(detail)
“Autumn song”
(detail)
“A stairway of ascent or descent ” 14”/16” Oil,mixed media, canvas
“A stairway of ascent or descent ”
(detail)
“A stairway of ascent or descent ”
(detail)
“White chair in the garden where they were” 12”/14”
Oil,mixed
“White chair in the garden where they were�
(detail)
“Simorgh the benevolent birds�
Oil,mixed media, canvas
“Simorgh the benevolent birds�
(detail)
“A glare in solitude”
Oil,mixed media, canvas
“A glare in solitude�
(detail)
“Chasing a black rabbit ” 12”/12”
Oil,mixed media, canvas
“In search of tranqiuillity or porcelain bird” 12”/14”
Oil,mixed media, canvas
“Gates into Heavens”
(detail)
“Gates into Heavens” 48”/48”
Oil,mixed media, canvas
“ Towards the light of hope” 48”/48”
Oil,mixed media, canvas
“ Towards the light of hope”
(detail)
“ Towards the light of hope”
(detail)
Valentina Churilova September 2001 – May 2006
March 2004
10th Annual Juried Figure Drawing Show,
Ontario College of Art and Design
OCAD Gallery, Toronto, Canada
Bachelor of Fine Arts AWA R D S
September 1997 - June 1998 The Design Institute of Ukraine, Kiev
May 2004
AV Isaacs Tuition Scholarship for proficiency in drawing and painting.
EXIBITIONS PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
April 2018
“Nature Deliberated” Artcentrix Gallery, New Delhi
August 2010 – August 2012
February 2018
“In Search of Samadhana” Triveni Gallery,
Instructor for art projects, International Cabella School, Italy
December 2017
“Winter Show” Open Air Gallery, Triveni Kala
May 2008 - June 2009
Sangam, New Delhi
Teaching for mural projects at Arts for Children of Toronto, Canada
Triveni Kala Sangam, New Delhi
October 2017
Surrendra Paul Art Gallery at Sangeet Shyamala, New Delhi
September 2005-May 2010
November 2007
“Alter Toronto” Gallery 1313, Toronto,
Instructor at Visual Arts Mississauga, Canada
October 2007
“El Placer” Instituto Politecnico National,
September 2003-May 2005
Mexico
Assistant at KUMF Gallery, Toronto, Canada
Canada
September 2006
“Cycles Perfecta” Katherine Mulherin Contenporary Art Gallery, Toronto, Canada
March 2000 - August 2000
September 2005
“Origins” Etobicoke Art Gallery, Toronto,
Teaching assistant at Living Space Mural Project, Canada
June 2005
“Eyes of the Artists” 12th Annual Juried Art
June 1999 – February 2000
Show, Lakeshore Assembly Hall, Toronto,
Assistant KUBERA Gallery, Ukraine
Canada
Canada April 2005
“Metamorphoses Show” Ontario Society of
June 1998 - May 1999
Artists, 131st Annnual Open Juried Show,
Set designer at Franko’s Theatre
John B. Aird Gallery Toronto, Canada March 2005
11th Annual Juried Figure Drawing Show,
March 2005
6th Annual Juried Drawing Show, John B. Aird
OCAD Gallery, Toronto Canada Gallery, Toronto, Canada.
“ Towards the light of hope�
(detail)
Valentina Churilova TORONTO
DELHI
Phone: +1 (416) 856 7570
Phone: +91 85272 50554
www.valentinachurilova.com valentinachur@gmail.com
2019