Swan Lake 1970

Alla Horska made this painting, Swan Lake, using a riot of bright colours and bold outlines. I imagine her, brush in hand, almost dancing across the canvas, building up the image one shape at a time. There’s a real sense of fairytale magic, with the swans, the castle, and the sun swirling overhead. The paint is applied in a way that feels immediate, like she's trying to capture a fleeting moment. The shapes aren't quite representational, but they evoke a feeling of movement and energy. Look at how she uses the paint, building the composition out of geometric forms of colour. It’s kind of like cubism, but with a folk-art twist. Horska was working at a time when Ukrainian artists were trying to find their own voice, and you can see that struggle in this painting. It's a blend of tradition and experimentation, like she's in conversation with folk art, but also with modern masters like Picasso and Matisse.