ARINA - The Theatre of One Artist

In keeping with the rising popularity of Russian art in the UK and around the world, from 16th – 20th April, exhibitors Lyes & Jones will be providing you with the perfect opportunity to invest in one of the most exciting and credible contemporary artists. They will be showcasing the paintings of Russian born hypersurrealist ARINA at the 20th Century Theatre in Notting Hill.

Most recently Russian art took centre stage in London when Saatchi Gallery announced two blockbuster exhibitions, one focusing on Non-Conformist Art of the 1960s-80s and the other on art since the fall of Communism in 1990. Their aim was to raise the profile of Russian art and their success has not only been felt by the capital’s artists and galleries but has also led to a significant boost in interest from the major auctions houses.

Russian-born British artist ARINA is a multi award-winning artist who exhibits her works all over the world. Her paintings have featured at such acclaimed venues as the Saatchi Gallery in London, the Venice Arsenale in Italy and the BJ Spoke Gallery in New York. ARINA has also been included in Reinhard Fuchs’ book, 'Masterpieces of Visual Art. The Great Female Artists from the Middle Ages to the Modern Era', in which she is mentioned as one of the biggest female artists in art history alongside the likes of Frida Kahlo, Louise Bourgeois, Georgia O‘Keeffe, Tracey Emin, Yayoi Kusama among others.

At first glance, paintings by ARINA may be perceived as grand self-portraits, as her works usually depict her own face. But it is not a traditional portraiture. It is rather a theatrical performance where the painter is, in fact, an actress who uses her face to express what she aspires to convey through her paintings and then documenting this one-actor show in paints. ARINA transforms images on her canvases into poignant representations of human feelings and emotions, into magnetic, almost tangible symbols of movements of the human spirit, the human soul. Immediately recognisable, they have their own individual and unique voice in the vast choir of contemporary art.
The first glance at her paintings takes your breath away. Against the background of the monochromatic minimalism there is the sudden explosion of energy, the passionate call to participate and be involved in the depicted image - the vividness of Red Colour! With help of the deep and powerful cadmium red ARINA generates the hypnotic whirlpools of energy that mesmerise the viewer.

The 20th Century Theatre, originally built in 1860, will act as the perfect canvas for the exhibition with its high ceilings and stunning arches. The walls will be decorated by the stunning paintings along with a large projection on to the stage itself, giving you a sense of the high theatre that this imposing space was intended for.