Art Exhibition Sa Francisco: Sergey Konstantinov

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Paintings Bookshelves. The creative proposal for this painting originated from Ann Getty, who desired a painting of a bookshelf. I designed a composition of two bookshelves side-by-side in a diptych style. Each bookshelf is divided into four parts, exhibiting disciplines of the humanities: theatre, literature, and art. The masks displayed at the top shelves are recognized as a symbol of theatre and drama, and originate from Greek mythology. I sketched the masks to determine the placement of the comedy and tragedy character. Old but precious books line the middle shelves, with each book presenting a title of Getty’s favorite author. The delicate art of blue and white Porcelain Delft pottery is displayed below the literary works. Painting Bookshelves. Oil/board. 15/39in. 24 Karat Gold frame. 1999.