Curatorial notes
Pavlo Makov created this nearly two-meter high print, A.O. Garden, using etching techniques. Makov grew up in the Soviet Union, and his work frequently explores themes of urban planning, architecture, and the impact of political ideologies on personal and public spaces. The print presents us with a bird's-eye view of a meticulously planned garden. But this isn't just any garden; it's a metaphor for societal structures, for the ways in which power and control can shape our environments. The garden's rigid symmetry and ordered rows evoke a sense of control, reflecting Soviet-era urban planning, which often prioritized uniformity and function over individual expression. Consider the emotional impact of such planned environments. Do they offer a sense of security and order, or do they stifle individuality and freedom? Makov invites us to reflect on these tensions, prompting a dialogue about the interplay between personal identity and the spaces we inhabit.