Small Rosarium “East” 2010

Pavlo Makov created 'Small Rosarium “East”' using what looks like delicate ink or watercolor washes to conjure a formal garden plan, or maybe even a city map. There's a sense of process here, a kind of building-up with tiny marks that reminds me of printmaking, where each layer adds to the whole image. Looking closely, you can see how Makov uses the texture of the paper and the fluidity of the ink to suggest depth and shadow. The washes are thin, almost transparent, allowing the white of the paper to breathe through, giving it an ethereal quality. Notice the top right corner, that circular maze – it's like a vortex, pulling you into the center, yet the softness of the edges keeps it from feeling too rigid. Makov’s work, with its repetitive motifs and architectural themes, shares a certain sensibility with Piranesi’s etchings of imaginary prisons, though Makov brings a lighter, more whimsical touch. Ultimately, this piece invites us to wander through its intricate pathways, appreciating the beauty of imperfection and the endless possibilities of interpretation.