Oleksandr Babak

Oleksandr Babak is one of the most authoritative masters of Ukrainian painting, whose path began with academic training and transformed into a radical reimagining of traditions. A key figure of the Ukrainian trans-avant-garde, he focuses on themes of earth, roots, and the "archaeology of memory." Babak's method involves working with large planes, where texture and a restrained palette create a sense of sacred silence. At the heart of his work is a dialogue with the past, realized through projects in the village of Berezotocha—his creative laboratory for decades. His famous "Flowers" series (2009) demonstrates a rejection of decorativeness: the images appear as living entities undergoing cycles of blooming and withering. This is a philosophical statement on the transience of time and the inevitability of natural cycles. A recognized maestro, Babak remains a model of devotion to high art. His works are held in the National Art Museum of Ukraine and leading collections in the West.