Marina's pristine paintings
Fayza Haq
Marina Goltyaeva's water-colour and pen creations, seen in her solo ongoing exhibition at the Russian Culture Centre, are lyrical and soothing. The landscapes and still life paintings were inspired by her stay in Bangladesh and her wait in Russia for the birth of her child. A Ph D scholar, with an eye for detail, she takes great care and precision to create idyllic images of the flora and fauna around her, creating images that remind one of the peaceful days past. There is nothing of the turmoil and trauma of the complex metropolitan existence. The palm leaves, the soft, pastel flower clusters, along with the delicate snow in the pale sky speak of a contented feminine vision that searches and finds beauty in her surroundings, whether it be in Bangladesh or Russia.The realism in her work is amazing. It is not just photographic as Marina blends her feelings and emotions into her work, adding shades and lines to the background and forefront -- so that there is a definite individuality in her creations. She includes her pen sketches to bring in the moving details, that makes the viewer pause and gaze with admiration at paintings that bring in peace and harmony in the troubled world of ours. She makes the viewer step into images of almost bygone years that reflected harmony and contentment. This she does with her usage of warm , lilting colours and swift strokes in her buoyant compositions. Marina, presently working on a Ph D paper at the Moscow State University, Arts Department, was doing research work in the field of local indigenous arts. Applied art and painting remain her special interests. Her crayon work too is powerful. Her awards include a gold medal from New York in 1991, silver medal from Tokyo in 1992 and an award of honours from Moscow in 1995. In her Antriums and Chamomiles the delicacy of petals, leaves and stems is combined with soothing swirls of fabrics in the forefront and back. The dramatic inclusion of the carmine, jades and royal-blues are startling indeed. Thus still life and nature are gently juxtaposed, as a cup and a vase have been included. Similarly, Marina's landscapes -- like the winter scene in crayon, includes black birds on a bare black tree, with dry bushes in the vicinity, and silhouette of trees and houses in the background -- speak of serenity and optimism. Even the black spindly figures in the backdrop symbolise fun and fruition. When Marina depicts Bangladeshi scenes such as the one with palm trees, with trailing hedges, hedges, one blending with one another, this too is romantic. The inclusion of figures of children and a cat at play are set off by the yellow trailing plants. Man and nature co-exist as if in some pristine paradise of the past. Whether it is snowing or humid and balmy, the images speak of joie de vivre. The opening of the exhibit marked Russian Diplomat's Day.
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An artwork by Marina Goltyaeva (right) |
