"B" 2021

"B" by Pavlo Makov, is a work that encapsulates the disorienting experience of contemporary identity within the context of post-Soviet Ukraine. Born in 1958, Makov's artistic perspective is deeply influenced by Ukraine's transition, navigating the collapse of one system and the fraught construction of another. In "B", the stark contrast between the black and white space creates a tension—a visual metaphor for the dichotomies and uncertainties shaping personal and collective identity. The geometric structures hint at shelter, yet their abstract arrangement evokes a sense of displacement, mirroring the psychological impact of shifting geopolitical landscapes. Makov once said that he is "concerned about the traces of time on a city's face." The intersection of personal history and cultural change encourages us to reflect on how the architectural and societal constructs shape our sense of self.