Natalia Pohrebinska exhibits work evocative of Orange Revolution

WINDHAM, N.Y. - Paintings and sculpture by Natalia Pohrebinska are on view at the Roshkowska Galleries, in an exhibit that opened on January 22, with a reception with the artist on January 29 at 4-7 p.m. The highlight of the exhibition is Ms. Pohrebinska's recently completed painting, titled "The Resurrection Song," a poetic evocation of Ukraine's Orange Revolution of 2004.

Although Ms. Pohrebinska matured as a painter in the New York School of Action Painting, her childhood images come from Ukraine, where she was born. According to the artist, that provenance combined with a love of nature, her ultimate teacher, remains a constant in her work.

In a statement about her work, Ms. Pohrekinska notes the following:

"Abstract Expressionism is to painting what jazz is to music. Both are about improvisation and meditation through which I better understand space, time and the relationship of things. Painting as such opens doors within and spotlights images, as in dreams. I do not see the canvas, I see through the canvas. Paint is my pool of deep waters. Visual intelligence is my guide and pilot. My eyes do the thinking. My mind observes as I reach for my subconscious.

"For me art is another reality - a mystic experience. It is a search beyond the obvious, the known, through the unfamiliar to a new awareness of integrity, which has a light and a function of its own."

Ms. Pohrebinska, a graduate of Pratt Institute, with a master of fine arts degree, studied with painters Richard Linder, George McNeil, Robert Richenberg and Bob Plate, sculptors Alexander Archipenko and Calvin Albert, and graphic artist Jack Landau. She is a recipient of the Harry Abrams Award, the Doris Duke Foundation Award and the Pratt Institute Graduate Fellowship.

Ms. Pohrebinska taught painting at Pratt Institute in 1959-1963. In 1963-1964, under President Kennedy's cultural exchange program, she exhibited and lectured at the United States Information Agency Graphic Arts exhibition held in Moscow, Alma-Ata and Yerevan.

Ms. Pohrebinska has exhibited solo and in group shows in North America, Ukraine and Russia. For the last 30 years she has lived and shown her works at The Stone House in Lexington, N.Y.

The exhibition will be on view through February 28. Roshkowska Galleries is located at 533 Main St. in Windham, N.Y. For additional information call (518) 734-9669, e-mail roshkowska@mhonline.net or visit www.roshkowksagalleries.com.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, January 23, 2005, No. 4, Vol. LXXIII

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