Antihero, 2023

Since my childhood I have always been interested in mythological and historical figures, personalities who had the power to influence countless people and the entire world. Most of these figures are mentioned in historical research as having ruthless, cruel, and determined personalities.

I observe the world and how it is currently coping and dealing with authoritarian, absolute leaders as a relevant issue in which dangerous powers collide and the role of the antihero emerges.

The war between Ukraine and Russia is directly tied to a ruler of this type, a ruler who enacts the figure of the antihero in an essential way – Vladimir Putin.

In this painting I deal with the conflict between Vladimir Putin and the leaders of the free world. I consider painting an “artivist” tool of demonstrations. The psychological profile of authoritarian rulers throughout history, such as Ramesses in Ancient Egypt, Nero in the Roman Empire, Ivan the Terrible in the Russian Empire, to the days of Hitler and Stalin – fascinates me.

In the exhibition I present several paintings of acrylic on paper to evoke quickly made posters and enhance the sense of urgency manifested by the unsettling, worrying times in which we now live. My exploration of the antihero involves figures and clips from the worlds of cinema, a parallel reality that deals with the clash between the world and the virtual antihero.