Maryna Talutto.
Where You Are
For the first time, Bereznitsky Art Foundation presents a solo exhibition of the famous Ukrainian artist and curator Marina Talyutto - “Where You Are”.
The project, which is deeply personal for Marina, was born under the influence of the war that Russia is waging against Ukraine. Her husband, a painter Tymofiy Papirnyi, is defending the country in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Several works are a visual recreation of his impressions of Ukrainian nature. The untouched forest and steppe, peace and quiet - all this contrasts with the reality of the incessant sounds of gunfire and the course of hostilities.
The minimalist works by Marina Talyutto at the exhibition are in black and white. They emphasize the drama of the present, transmitting to the viewer a subtle combination of balance and traumatic experiences of the artist.
Maryna Talutto “Black Forest”, 2024. Canvas, acrylic
“Black forest. The forest from my imagination...
Listening to the stories of my husband Tymofiy, who was in the Zaporizhzhia sector at that moment, about the beauty of the steppes and forests, about how despite the war and its destructive power, I imagined a fantastic black forest where my husband was. But despite all the danger in the war, it is the forest that seems to envelop and protect. It is the forest that becomes an image of immensity, of dreams, and becomes the symbol of the spirit of the Ukrainian land.
The forest is a place where my husband found rest and safety, and a place where we could have our conversation with him, in which we dreamed of a trip with our daughter to those lands after our Victory.
I would call it the Zaporizhzhia Forest.
But when I talked to Tymofiy about the name, he disagreed, because in this area, there are mostly forests and steppe.
So it will be called the Black Forest.
From our imagination, about those places.
And someday, we will definitely go to this forest together to enjoy the silence and beauty, and the birds singing.” - Maryna Talutto.
Maryna Talutto, from the painting “Today”, 2024. Paper, alcohol markers
Maryna Talutto, “Rose”, 2024. Paper, acrylic
“The title of the exhibition reflects her painting practice during the war in Ukraine. The images depicted are those found in our everyday lives, here and now. These are the images from daily life that you want to hold on to—the attributes of a familiar, stable existence. The small marker drawings capture real objects: a table, a cup, a lamp, scissors, a door, the faces of both close and distant people, and views of fragments of the hometown. These images provide a sense of balance in the present reality, thanks to their familiarity in our lives during the war. This focus on stable objects and images helps us maintain a sense of equilibrium in a country at war.
On larger pieces of paper, the focus shifts to imaginary images: a black, dark landscape, black roses, and a dark image of a Madonna, evoking a nostalgic and tragic portrayal of the present.
The ceramic letters represent a metaphorical image of a child's communication during the war, when a child sends drawings to their father at the front, expressing love.” - Maryna Talutto.
Marina works with a wide range of media in art, including installation and graphics. She graduated from the National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture. Maryna was awarded a grant from the Ministry of Culture of Poland. She is known for her active participation in various exhibitions and cultural projects both in Ukraine and abroad.
The exhibition will involve the viewer in the atmosphere of the disturbing feeling of war expressed through art.