Stop

The dilapidation didn't surprise me, but what struck me was the resilient life within those weathered walls, where age-old traditions still held sway, and a rickety bus arrived once a day.

My last visit before the quarantine revealed that the elderly inhabitants had ceased their attempts to salvage what remained of the village. It seemed the vestiges of civilization were finally fading away, swallowed by nature's reclamation. Now, a new generation, guided by their still-strong fathers, is attempting to revive the place. The grandfathers, having relinquished their influence, live out their days amidst the remnants of a bygone era.

The bus stop in my painting stands alone in an overgrown field, with a solitary old lady seated there. The roads have faded with time, and there's no one left to rebuild them - those with the skill have long moved to bustling cities. Yet, the people endure, holding on to the ritual of awaiting the bus from the 'big world,' uncertain if it will come.

The old lady at the bus stop is modeled after my husband's mother, the very person who introduced me to Olshanka. I aged her in the image to capture the passage of time. The evening fog serves as both a metaphor and a tangible element - representing the blurry outlines of the distant: the future, plans, and the event horizon. This resonated deeply during quarantine, as uncertainty loomed large.

Creating this large-scale piece over several months became a solace during a time when exhibitions and projects were put on hold. Through my work, I experienced firsthand the emotions that permeate the painting: solitude, isolation, loneliness, silence, and pause. But amidst it all, there was a sense of respite from the frenetic pace. Quarantine, for me, became a remarkably fertile and tranquil period that I look back on with fondness.

There is no pain, reproach, regret, or sarcasm in the painting. Instead, you'll discover my love for this beautiful homeland, a touch of melancholy for the fading history of generations past, and a poignant silence in its absence.