Roman Barabakh’s artistic intentions are accompanied by a ceaseless search for one’s position within the Christian value system. Through his use of metaphorical depictions, the artist tries to reimagine familiar ideas and concepts from scripture. Here, these concepts are visualised through the medium of photography.
\"Origins\" is an attempt by the artist to record his own experiences around the theme of creation. Taking the image of an Old Testament passage about the Creation of the World, Barabakh builds his own seven-day photo story. The main role is given to Man, and this in turn is the central idea behind the exhibition: Man as Creator and Man as Author.
The exosed film, the first day, invites us to observe the author’s metaphorical images made from contact sheets. Each sheet documents a staged process that is represented by the image of the potter (in the body of a woman), who in turn represents the creator (of the world?). To some extent, this technique also turns the artist into a photojournalist who seeks to capture reality. The quotes written on the photos in red ink help to convey biblical narratives of creation. The symbols explore the artist-photographer\'s approach to interacting with photography; they mark the places that were mechanically altered (over or underexposed), where the creator\'s hand has intervened.
In the exhibition \"Origins\", Barabakh adheres to the principle of artistic conciseness and simplicity, paying attention to details. He draws parallels and creates metaphors, combining sacred narratives and photography.
By Viktoriia Panas
(Translated by Johnny Skilling)
You can visit the exhibition from March 3 until March 29 2020 in Contemporary sacred art gallery \"ICONART\" at 26 Virmenska Str., Lviv, Ukraine from 11 am - 7 pm every day except Monday (on Sunday gallery is opening at 12 am).