Sometimes artists can be self-consciously quirky in an attempt to be “different” and carve a niche for themselves. Other times, though, artists are simply quirky because the are. I think Ukranian artist Oleg Denisenko falls into the latter category.
His delightfully bizarre prints of fantastical figures in elaborate armor, often sporting wings and accompanied by armored horses, arcane astrolabes, strange musical instruments, wheels, levers, charts and diagrams are filled with wonderful bits of texture and line. The monochromatic prints have a remarkable sense of being colorful because the variety of textures and line-filled areas have some of the same space-defining feeling as areas of color might in a painting.
Though the images carry a sense of medieval times, Denisenko was born in 1961.
His images spill over with objects from his mental and emotional attic. Wheeled toys, wind-up keys, jester hats, and Da Vinci-like diagrams for nonsensical Renaissance machinery mix with textured amalgams of dragons and birds.
Through it all is a wonderful graphic exuberance that makes you think that as soon as he stopped on one image, he would immediately begin the next just because he was having so much fun.
Links via BibliOdyssey
I really enjoyed this.
You put it so well – “a wonderful graphic exuberance that makes you think that as soon as he stopped on one image, he would immediately begin the next just because he was having so much fun.”
Thanks as always for your inspiring blog.
These are beautifully detailed! I’d love to see some in person. They are reminiscent of da Vinci, but without appearing to be imitative in any way. It’s wonderful.
Great blog CP! I’m the rankest of beginners at the drawing thing but your efforts have given me a lot to think about and aspire to.
Thought I might mention a contemporary eastern European artist who does somewhat similar work as Oleg D. Her name is Anna Teluja, she’s from Poland (I think) and her work can be viewed at http://www.anna.art.pl
As it happens I’ve recently discovered a number of artists from the former Eastern bloc countries and there’s this strangely common thread running through their work. Very Byzantine!
Thanks, all for your comments.
I have to say that since I’ve been writing lines and colors I’ve been surprised and delighted at a number of wonderful artists from former Soviet block countries whose work I was unfamiliar with.