R.T. Garden 2020

Pavlo Makov made this artwork, R.T. Garden, with an intriguing approach to mark-making that feels both systematic and organic. It’s as if the process itself is a meditation. Looking closely, the texture of the piece really grabs you. The surface isn’t smooth, it’s got this kind of gritty, almost dusty quality. The contrast of the dark marks against the pale background gives it a ghostly vibe. It makes me think about those images you see of crop circles. There's an area at the bottom left where the marks become denser and more chaotic. It reminds me of a garden that’s been left untended, wild and overgrown. There's something about the systematic nature of the marks in this piece, arranged in concentric circles, that makes me think of Vija Celmins' meticulous renderings of natural phenomena. But while Celmins is all about precision, Makov embraces imperfection and ambiguity. It’s art that invites you to get lost in its layers and find your own way.