Pentageron is a painting in which I talk about the influence of the totalitarian ideology of the Soviet period on the mentality of the Russian people. Those physical and psychological restrictions on freedoms, brainwashing during the 70 years of lockdown of the country continue to have consequences to this day; addressing the mentality of the regime’s hostages.
I depicted complete submission and acceptance of ideology through the images of mass sports’ parades, where there is no place for individuality and people march as a single machine, personifying those who accepted and submit to the regime.
In contrast, I painted images of ballet defectors from the Bolshoi Ballet, whose creative nature was suffocating and did not accept the given framework. The Russian-folk riders in the background are an allegory of the struggle for the freedom to think independently and be free to make your own decisions.
My narratives here are subjugation and frustrating dualities that I experienced while living behind the Iron Curtain. The subconscious disagreement of my creative nature will always be opposed to the impersonality of the communist ghost. Based on recent events of the war, the hostage ideology continues.
Medium
Oil on canvas
Size (h x w)
200 x 300 centimetres
Price
£7,800
