For Immediate Release:

Uniquely Ukraine: Paintings by David Miretsky and Svetlana Derenshuk
Reception: Friday, February 17, 5-8 pm
Exhibition continues through March 31, 2012

Phyllis Weston Gallery is proud to announce Uniquely Ukraine: Paintings by David Miretsky and Svetlana Derenshuk. Two of the great artistic traditions coming from Ukraine’s rich history are icon and miniature painting. Recent decades produced talented masters who mix colorful palettes with unconventional imagery and human forms. This exhibition includes intimate miniature paintings by Miretsky and contemporary folk paintings by Derenshuk.

One of the greatest living miniature painters is David Miretsky. Miretsky, born in Kiev, studied at the Kiev Art Institute. In following years the unorthodox subject matter of his work led to his arrest and confiscation of certain works. After his release, Miretsky left the Soviet Union to pursue the expressive freedoms now seen in his paintings. With the helps of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, he arrived in the United States in 1975 where Phyllis Weston gave his first exhibition at Closson’s Art Gallery.  Currently, Miretsky resides in New York City where he has become a very successful artist on the East Coast.
Miretsky’s paintings lend insight into human characters. He has borrowed imagery from his native culture to make provocative statements about the human condition whose relevance extends far beyond Russian society. The evolution of his art reflects the happiness and success he has found in American life. He continues to paint in the same traditions, displaying the potential tenderness in human relationships; yet his subjects have become less somber and more elegant.
Svetlana Derenshuk’s contemporary folk paintings speak to the tradition of Icon painting in the Ukraine.  Historically, the icon is a flat panel painting depicting a holy being or object.  Contemporary interpretation extends the definition to include a wide number of contexts; it is a sign or likeness that stands for an object by signifying or representing it either concretely or by analogy.
Through painting, Derenshuk expresses her love of humanity and the world in which she lives. She recalls that, “…A painting must be like a divine icon. You look at it and a happy feeling takes over your body. Painting does not have to be explained. The beauty must be clear and understandable to everyone.”
Born in Mariupol, Ukraine (1972), Derenshuk currently resides in Kiev. She studied Fine Art at Mariupol Art Studio and has exhibited in many group and solo shows in the Ukraine, Europe, and the United States.  Many of her works can be found in the collection of the National Museum of Ukraine and in private collections in Germany, Italy, Ukraine, and the United States.
Image Information:
Derenshuk1.jpg – Svetlana Derenshuk, Walking the Dog, tempera on panel, 13 3/4” x 11 3/4”

Gallery Information:
Phyllis Weston Gallery
2005 1/2 Madison Road, Cincinnati, OH 45208 – O’Bryonville
Gallery Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 11 – 5 pm and by appointment
513.321.5200
www.phylliswestongallery.com
Parking available on street or in lot behind Cheviot Savings Bank

Hats off to you, Phyllis!

http://www.artdaily.org/index.asp?int_sec=11&int_new=52041

http://www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org/explore/exhibitions/upcoming-exhibitions/1-the-exhibitions/68-the-collections-6000-years-of-art

Using these tools of point, line and plane, Knowhere finds moments of learning within seemingly mundane surroundings. The uninteresting elevator lobby becomes a transitional space that cleanses the palette. The decision point at the end of a stairwell acts as a hub that allows orientation and redirection. The overlooked corridor that leads to hidden workspaces are all called to attention. The grandiose statue at the main entry transforms into a circulation tool and “meet me” location.

All of these connect together using paths that lead visitors through space by providing further insight into how these tools can help inform and lead, with the final destination rendering examples of how branding and wayfinding can create a sense of place within an empty space. The exhibition occurred in the Cage Gallery this past fall in Alumni Hall on the Oxford Campus.

John and Samantha were also awarded a merit award for the design of course material for their international workshop Mobile Italy 2009 and 2011. “The Road Kit for Exploring Knowhere” is a teaching tool for study abroad programs aimed at increasing visual literacy used when traveling to unfamiliar places. Intended for mobile design investigations, the kit needed to include several elements to facilitate both hand drawing and digital media capture techniques.

Rather than providing the equivalent of a fancy pencil case, the Road Kit fully supports a mobile design course within a single-piece felt container. Beyond raw supplies, the piece includes vibrant assignment cards for design and writing which prompt certain ways of seeing and generating student-specific documents, encouraging the use of multiple media, while allowing students to work in new, yet familiar ways. Supporting custom tailored tools, and electronic media devices were also included, all housed within a hand-made bag, original and rugged, not so fancy as to attract thieves.

Included project statements encourage use of multiple media, that allow students to work in new, yet familiar ways, including photography, prose, texting, collage, painting, etc.

The jurors commented specifically on the innovative directions in design education proposed by both projects.

The Cincinnati Design Awards are awards for excellence in design collaboratively given by The Cincinnati Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA Cincinnati), the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) Cincinnati/Dayton City Center, the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Cincinnati/Dayton, the Society for Environmental Graphic Design (SEGD) Cincinnati Chapter, and the Miami Section of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). The jurors included professional designers from New York, Chicago, Cincinnati, and Toronto.

Assistant Professor John Humphries is in the Department of Architecture+Interior Design. Samantha Perkins Visiting Assistant Professor is in the Graphic Design Program. Both are happily in the School of Fine Arts and affiliated with the Armstrong Institute for Interactive Media Studies.

Cheers to John for giving his time to local schools!

Don’t forget to see Jensen’s colorful work in our gallery, on display until October 15!