Whom does Nikolay Zhuravel resemble? He resembles an angel or Carlson – moreover, he has his studio almost on the roof in the very center of Kyiv. During the first and the second Maydan, everyone gathered at his place – Zhuravel fed the young. It was not for nothing – among all the modern Ukrainian artists, Zhuravel is perhaps one of the most convertible – many Western galleries collaborate with him. He’s even among the world-famous London Saatchi’s favorites.
Why? He creates his world, the Zhuravel universe – one can spend eternity looking into it. And almost always little angels are flying there – helping, supporting, saving. They are like sweet music for the exhausted and desperate humankind during the endless pandemics.
Whom does he resemble? Giotto? Chagall? Himself. He has even invented his own, Zhuravel’s technique. He spends a long time building some intricate structure of wood and metal – a kind of Zhuravel’s salvific ark. Then, covers everything with iconic, Byzantine levkas, finishes the painting, scratches – and the ark acquires the mystical power.
It floats into a cold contemporary interior and makes it warm and humane.
