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One Show, Two
Styles
Gubin Paints Dream World; Demovidova Seeks ‘More
Dimension’
by Jessica Forres
The International Visions Art Gallery
is currently showing the work of Ukrainian-American
artist Mikhail Gubin and Russian artist Anna Demovidova—two
artists with similar cultural backgrounds but very
different styles and creative interpretations.
Gubin’s return exhibition, “Time
Quilt,” is a reflection of the unconscious imagination,
of those fleeting dreams that pass in the night and
their many complexities. The series of drawings and
paintings for the most part depicts people enveloped
in a dream world, and Gubin’s dream world doesn’t
cater to those without an imagination.
Born in Kharkov, Ukraine, Gubin has
spent more than a decade living in New York. He has
had 15 solo exhibitions and more than 100 group shows,
most of which were held at colleges, universities
and small museums. He said that he wants “educated
people to see something special” when viewing
his work, and his use of metaphorical and allegorical
subjects certainly add depth to the 60-by-34-inch
canvas.
“My interest lies in human beings.
I’ll say no more. I love them. Some wouldn’t
believe me, those even feel insulted by my paintings.
Still, I love them,” he said.
Each one of his human figures is distinctly
different, almost making it difficult to identify
his particular style. Two of his paintings, “Boy
Called Sebastian” and “Window,” completely
different in style, successfully reveal the unconscious
and the many forms it can take. For Gubin, art is
not about conforming to one style but rather playing
with them all, making his exhibit a nice break from
the uniformity of reality.
Russian artist Demovidova’s creativity
extends far beyond the limitations of her palette.
She uses all sorts of techniques to capture the essence
of her subjects. One clever idea was to attach portable
compact disc players to the wall below each painting,
allowing viewers to listen to music or interviews
about the paintings’ subjects.
Her figurative art combined with interviews
and soundscapes allow viewers to get an inside peek
into the lives of the people she paints. Her objective,
she said, is to “make painting a little more
accessible” and give “more dimension to
the painting.”
Demovidova said what she truly seeks
is spontaneity: “I am looking for a new way of
seeing, and I want each painting to surprise and startle
in its expression of life.”
Currently living in Washington, D.C.,
her series “Washington Paintings” highlights
the lives of local Washingtonians who have been monumental
in making the nation’s capital more than just
a place of politics. Her portraits include “Kelly
and Maze,” owners of the Twins Lounge on U Street;
“Mohammed Ali”; “Anna Maria,”
owner and chef of Anna Maria’s restaurant on
Connecticut Avenue; as well as a self-portrait, all
of which include in-depth interviews about each subject’s
life.
Her group portrait of the “Federal
Jazz Commission” performing is especially enjoyable.
Instead of an interview, a compilation of the group’s
songs plays while viewers pass by the painting. The
infusion of music and portraiture brings the painting
to life and is a refreshing stimulant for the senses.
Born in the town of Rostov the Great,
Russia, the young artist continues to work on a series
called ‘Russia Is Us,” which she began two
years ago. If all goes well, she will share with the
rest of the world what she so brilliantly captured
with the people of Washington.
“Time Quilt” and “Washington
Paintings” run through Oct. 12 at the International
Visions Art Gallery, 2629 Connecticut Ave., NW. For
more information, please call (202) 234-5112 or visit
www.inter-visions.com.
Jessica Forres is an editorial
intern for The Washington Diplomat.
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