Stella Tumasova Fine Art Gallery San Francisco.
At
the time of change, uncertainty, and instituting new traditions it is
important to be able not to negate history and social cohesion. What if
one day you wake up realized there is no more literature, music,
painting, or any other art form? Will you still feel confident without
heritage? Art can be an escape from what makes you insecure. Something
calming, bringing you full circle, giving some time to think.
From
this perspective, you can understand the value of conservation and
restoration of art. The longer the life of a masterpiece, the more
meanings it has, and the more people feel its influence. In the Japanese
language there exists a special term - kasugai. This word currently has
a comprehensive meaning of the link between generations and cultures
although initially, it was just a connecting peace in architecture.
Therefore painting is becoming a metaphor of connection by binding
together civilization since the beginning.
History
has witnessed many schisms and conflicts, times when society suddenly
turned separated and confronted, but the art always held its position. A
lot of people had to leave their countries only during the last
century. Let us take USSR as an example: Shalyapin, Nabokov,
Solzhenitsyn, Brodsky, Dovlatov, and countless others are on the list.
All of them continued their work in exile notwithstanding the
difficulties of language and entirely new circumstances. The last huge
wave of emigration happened in the 1990s when the collapse took place.
Not only the political issues but instability and wishing a better
measure of living had its impact. Fortunately, a large number of expats
became decent citizens and did their best to fit in. Sergey
Konstantinov, a Ukrainian-born artist producing classical and
contemporary murals, restoration, and conservation decorative arts,
paintings, and sculpture, shares his story and art view.
Tell us a little bit about yourself
I
came from Ukraine, a small town called Zhmerinka, and I have only warm
memories of it. It made my DNA: friends, school, sports, the very
beginning of my art career was also there. Then I joined the art
college, where I was exploring Ukrainian folk art, which helped me to
understand the wealth and the history of our nation. After that, I
continued my way and enrolled in the Lviv National Academy of art to
study the world culture, but, you know, from a Soviet view. Since
freshman year of Academy I have been participating in exhibitions of
Artists’ Union. Another step - my moving to Baku for my first work. We
had some State assignments, exhibitions, and also creative works. The
first commission was from the Ministry of Culture and Exhibitions
Division in Moscow. In the 90s there were many conflicts between Armenia
and Azerbaijan, so I asked for refugee status and came to San
Francisco. Now, for almost 30 years, I have family, my studio, and the
work of my life here in America.
What's your first memory of art and how did that have an impact on you?
Well,
that was not one thing. Maybe the main one was the art class in my
hometown where I’ve started to study painting and tried to copy some
items of famous artists. Also, monasteries and temples inspired me a lot
and the beautiful icons at my grandmother’s house. And music, of
course, Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky. I can’t choose one of them.
What are you currently working on?
It’s a portrait “Boy with bird”. I have a number of them, but they are all different. And all meant for me.
How do you see art world changing after pandemic?
Why?
Do you think it would change the human being? I consider it an
interesting time to be alive. I guess there will be numerous studies and
artworks reflecting the difference between now and then. But actually,
it is all about having free time to look deeper.
Who/what has had the biggest impact on your career?
Nobody.
I mean “never meet your heroes”. If you want to be someone, just start
now. Otherwise, you will have no time to make it the right way. I have
always been confident that I am on my own path. And now I can only thank
people I met through the adventure of a lifetime for the experience and
knowledge. Also, I cannot deny the impact of the nature which we are
surrounded by. Look, it has inimitable shades, color contrasts,
mysteries of the universe - we breathe it deeply trying to find our
answers.
Do you approach a painting on a canvas the same way as you do on a mural?
A
wall and canvas are both just surfaces. What is important is your
message and energy. It makes no difference whether I paint a canvas or a
mural, all I care about is the purpose of a coming piece.
What do you want the viewer to feel when they see your artworks?
Everybody
sees it differently. I trust my viewers, so all I can do is to let out
my emotions, feelings, and perception of the world. I leave a piece of
myself on the canvas which is the only reason to work. If it resonates
it’s my pleasure. Another way I reserve them the right to overlook it.
Tell us a story about the most difficult artwork you have ever created. What made it difficult?
Once
I was commissioned a mural of a room. The building was constructed on
the designer’s sketch, and my task was to visually combine and harmonize
the interior using colors. I had to find a color that could connect all
the items: golden sconces, mirrors, and other furniture. It was hard
but exhilarating. I like a challenge, it gives me satisfaction. It took
me 2 months to finally depict what was on my mind. The routine practice I
had that days was to take pictures in the morning and to plan my
tomorrow work - the system helps you to keep it in check and to avoid
any mistakes.
How has your work evolved?
That
is quite a philosophical question. I believe you are ahead as long as
you honing your skills. Once you decided to be no further forward, you
lose.
I’d
also like to explore your journey through the art world. We all have
different pathways to sustain ourselves. Have you found yourself
thriving in the typical gallery system? Or outside of it?
I
was restoring art for a long time, that had an impact on my approach to
work. I’ve been studying history and art technologies for a long time
because when it comes to restoration you need to fully understand the
creator, especially his state of mind and focus. Now you can see the
result. I am interested in classics but I also pay attention to modern
realities, which means I feel comfortable inside and out of the gallery
system.
How do you approach failure and picking yourself back up?
I
prefer to say the shortcomings. There are no failures in the path. Even
an unsatisfactory result is your experience. You can give a fight to
your weaknesses, it will make you stronger, so you will have a better
outcome next time. It is never too late to fix the situation.
Your home is your studio - how do you balance everyday life with creativity?
Now,
most of the people have their home studios given the pandemic. I am
lucky to be prepared for such circumstances. My life is a creative
process itself. It is where I get my inspiration, awareness of good or
bad, too much or too little, alive or dead. Death is also an artistic
touch giving you new images, by the way.
What inspired this new work?
During
the lifetime experience you are searching for explanation, finding
nuances, and changing your perspective. That is where creation has its
source - you cannot force yourself to art but it begins from within
ourselves. I just can’t help the overwhelming desire I have at these
moments, but it is a painting giving me the reason to create and not
vice versa
What informs your palette?
It
is the law of painting technique to value cool and warm colors. You
need only 5 colors to create a unique tone. Both the morning and the
evening have their shades, so have every emotion you are trying to
reflect. My palette is about the human condition and soul.
Any practical business advice for emerging artists looking to establish themselves?
I
was in my last year of Academy of art when the professor told me: “Move
to your purpose, the money comes anyway”. If it helps somebody, take
it. That is just the way I live.
Art studio Sergey Konstantinov.
http://artstudiosergeykonstantinov.blogspot.com/
Art Conservation & Restoration Sergey Konstantinov.
http://artrestorationsanfrancisco.blogspot.com/
http://paintingconservationrestoration.blogspot.com/
Artist Sergey Konstantinov.
http://sergeykonstantinovsf.blogspot.com/
fineart3@mindspring.com
skype-sergey.konstantinov2
415 928 8290
San Francisco
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