Gimn of Poseidon 2015

Arsen Savadov made this painting, Gimn of Poseidon, with oils, and what strikes me first is its moody, dreamlike quality. The color palette leans into these muted greens and reds, creating a world that feels both familiar and slightly off-kilter. It's a reminder that art-making, at its core, is a process of world-building. Looking closer, you can see how Savadov builds up the surfaces, layering thin washes of paint to create depth. Then he comes in with these more gestural strokes that define the waves and the figures, but I keep returning to the drips of red paint that seem to weep down the surface. There's a tension between control and chance, intention and accident. The ballerinas cling to the clock for dear life, a commentary on fleeting moments and beauty in decay. Savadov’s world reminds me a little of Balthus, in that he creates this sense of unease by placing these odd combinations of figuration and landscape in a theatrical and enigmatic space. Ultimately, the power of this painting lies in its ability to hold multiple truths at once, inviting us to bring our own experiences and interpretations to the table.