Still life 1987

Oleg Holosiy painted this still life with oil on canvas and I can almost smell the linseed from here. The color palette is intentionally limited, and the brushwork is pretty gestural, raw, and immediate. Holosiy lays down marks that feel unrehearsed, and these choices emphasize the way artmaking is about discovery, like the artist is figuring out the image as they go. I’m drawn to the way the paint application varies; thin washes in the background and then thicker impasto on the table, suggesting depth and shadow. The drips, particularly those under the glass on the right, are like these little tears or ghostly apparitions, offering a glimpse into the artist’s psyche. The image is ambiguous, but this only contributes to its strange beauty. There’s a vulnerability and openness in Holosiy’s work that reminds me of Cy Twombly. Both artists share this embrace of imperfection, revealing art as a space for constant questioning.