Questions. An attempt of dialogue. And more of something important
Project was created for the Kyiv art gallery Lavra, 2015
Yevgen Samborsky’s work is based on a genuine and authentic artistic approach. His practice find its roots in the social and cultural reality of the Ukraine. He analyses the actual status quo for contemporary art and artists in the country and reflects on the historical factors, which led to the recent stagancy. This is a result of the absence of a profound art education in the art high schools and the missing art historical research about any kind of avantgarde or non-conformist art in times before the fall of the USSR. The situation can be further characterized by the complete deficiency of public or private institutions, which support in an effective and sustainable way contemporary art and artists. The lack of infrastructure is increased by the missing dialogue about contemporary art. Art is not considered to be one of the most important tools to reflect our reality and to question our prejudices, but, at best. understood as a decorative element with maybe some investment opportunities.
This is the background upon Yevgen Samborsky takes into question his position as an artist. Based on the stalemate of the actual situation, he employs strategies of an analytical conceptualism, which allows him a quite unique position in the Ukrainian art discourse.
As the title suggests, the exhibition is composed of three closely related and concerted components. The first part, "Questions”, is carefully wording the basic problematic and takes on the format of public advertising or campaigning. The second part, “An attempt of dialogue”, is a precise proposal for a working structure of a conceivable art institution, as for example Lavra City Gallery. In the third part, “And more of something important”, he will confront the viewer with a a series of dedications to Unknown Artists. This part will also contain a series of paintings, which are based on personal experiences of younger artitsts, who had to give up their dream, being forced to find a job to make a living.
Change for the better can only happen, when a precise analyses has been made. Yevgen Samborsky takes this task serious and proposes at the same time a model for the future development.
Rainald Schumacher
Dedications
This part of the project consists of intentionally unfinished works that are presented at different stages of development. They are dedicated to people who left the system of art because of certain reasons.
In 2004, the widow of an artist cheaply sold materials for artists of her ex husband. I bought a primed canvas in it. After some time I started to work on this canvas. Among the artists, the practice of redrawing works, for saving the canvas, is widespread, so for some time, I drew another on the top of the first painting layer, and it lasted for about ten years. During this time, I was not able to create, on it, something that I would consider worthy to hold. Because of the reflections on previous history of this canvas, the impossibility of completing and the numerous layers of paint, I decided to try to wipe the layers.
