The new barbizon
Olga Kundina, Anna Lukashevzky, Natalia Zourabova
On view through July 20
FORMah Gallery is pleased to present a three-person exhibition “The New Barbizon” of works by Olga Kundina, Anna Lukashevsky, and Natalia Zourabova, opening on June 13 2024.
The three artists belong to the "New Barbizon Group," established in 2010 by five painters (Zoya Cherkassky, Olga Kundina, Anna Lukashevsky, Asya Lukin, and Natalia Zourabova), who were born in the former USSR and now reside and work in Israel. The group's name alludes to the Barbizon School of 19th-century French painters, known for their commitment to landscape painting from direct observation and their blend of painterly realism with a stark portrayal of social realities. In the early 21st century, when the New Barbizon Group adopts this name and embraces the observational approach of the historic Barbizon School, it creates an intriguing ambiguity. Their act could be seen as either a straightforward tribute or a nuanced, critical reinterpretation, leaving it unclear whether they are being traditional or subtly provocative.
"The practice of urbanism has accompanied me for a long time … I am like a filter: I look at what I see and am impressed”. - Olga kundina
Olga Kundina, born in Moscow in 1969, studied art before immigrating to Israel in 1991. Initially residing in Jerusalem for seven years, she now lives and works in Tel Aviv. Her artistic practice is deeply influenced by her observations of urban environments, the dynamic and evolving landscapes of cities.
Kundina describes her engagement with urbanism as a long-standing element of her work. She considers herself a filter, absorbing and reflecting the dominant visual elements of the city through her art. Kundina remarks on the transformative impact of these urban developments, noting that her intermittent presence in the city allows her to notice changes more acutely. Kundina's vibrant and expressive paintings capture everyday life and street interactions. Her work highlights the rich human tapestry of the neighborhoods, emphasizing the harmonious relationships and daily interactions that define their social fabric. Through her nuanced depictions, Kundina offers an insightful perspective on the complexities and human connections within urban environments.
"In my portraits I try to express historical events reflected in a face of a sensitive person, as was done in great Russian Novels that I grew up on.” Anna lukashevsky
Anna Lukashevsky, a Vilnius-born artist now based in Haifa, painted “Lika” as part of the project initially commissioned by Jewish Currents magazine to paint Ukrainian women refugees. Haifa, with its significant Russian-speaking population, became a major absorption center after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, bringing in around 12,500 immigrants, mainly from Russia. Lukashevsky's artistic practice has been enriched by this influx. The project has profoundly impacted Lukashevsky, leading her yet again to sociopolitical activism.
Lukashevsky paintings are reflecting different social classes and mentalities, and showcasing the resilience, strength or weakness, mental state due to rough reality through portraits. Through her art and activism, Lukashevsky documents the human cost of war, drawing on her own experiences of adaptation and resilience.
natalia zourabova
Natalia Zourabova’s artistic practice centers on the domestic sphere, depicting intimate family life within homes while also extending the gaze to the outside world. Her work focuses on portraiture to explore themes of identity, representation, and the tension between personal expression and societal norms. Zourabova often emphasize a female perspective, addressing issues of self-representation, gender, and familial relationships, particularly highlighting the immigrant experience of women from the former USSR in Israel.
Her paintings express the tension between cultural preservation and assimilation, often portraying the daily struggles of Russian-speaking immigrants. As a member of the New Barbizon group, she uses figurative painting to critique social issues, reflecting changes in Israeli society towards multiculturalism and diverse identities.
Zourabova’s work chronicles the changes in her and her daughter Ester’s lives, contrasting their past in Moscow with their present in Israel. Her artistic style has evolved from traditional naturalism to more expressive forms. The portraits of Ester, depicted in various media, capture everyday moments and highlight the intergenerational dynamics within their family. Through her art, Zourabova seeks to document and find poetry in the routine aspects of daily life, offering a nuanced reflection of personal and social struggles in the Israeli context.
Kundina, Lukashevsky and Zourabova exhibited together as part of "The New Barbizon" group and solo across Israel, US, Georgia, Russia, Germany, France, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Sweden among others, and their works belong is multiple notable public and private collections. The exhibition in FORMah gallery is artists' debut in New York.
The New Barbizon exhibition is on view through July 20, 2024.
Selected Artworks
“Black Cat”
Oil on Canvas
31.5 x 23.6 in
“Ester and Lika”
Oil on Canvas
65 x 61 in
“Nika (A first home at the motherland)”
Oil on Canvas
47 x 59 in
we invite you to visit the gallery.
