INSPIRE ME! Andrey Klimenko, A&O Artist of Month for October 2014

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS NEWS
By TAHLIB

"In my work I am trying to draw 

parallels between life's trials and spirituality." 

~ ANDREY KLIMENKO

Andrey Klimenko, 2D-artist, from Ukraine.

Who has not been moved, and disturbed to their core by the events in the Ukraine? As you watch the twists and turns of the country's struggle for freedom, it's impossible not to see it as a monumental drama about the "parallels between life's trials and spirituality." Every time I take the time to face the work of Andrey Klimenko, age 35, I get that same feeling of anxiety and excitement. Born in the Ukraine, he studied fine art in Moscow, and so he has a view that is unique about the Ukrainian conflict, and that's why he is the A&O INSPIRE ME! Artist for October 2014.

Andrey Klimenko (b. Ukraine)

1. What is your faith tradition, and how does it impact your art? Many works have religious overtones. In my work I am trying to draw parallels between life's trials and spirituality. I paint in the realist tradition, and she tells me how and what to draw.

2. Describe your artwork. What style or genre is it? I draw on the spiritual, the religious theme. I think contemporary art related to these themes.

3. Have you ever had to defend exploring religious ideas? Yes, based on my knowledge, books, movies ... and comparison of them with life.

4. Who collects your work, and why? I now. Because I'm interested.

5. What "risks" have you taken in creating your work? That the overall composition is ruined.

6.What other artists have influenced your work? 

• Director Andrei Tarkovsky http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDax5tf2aqo; 
• Writer Fyodor Dostoevsky http://amsaw.org/pic1104-dostoevsky002.jpg; and 
• Writer Anton Chekhov http://moonlightronin.wordpress.com/2012/04/29/quote-anton-chekhov/.

7. How can A&O readers collect/experience your work? Now I have a page on Facebook (only early work without comments, like a portfolio for employers), their creative work with comments, I plan to create familiarized with Facebook, and similar pages.

The next time you watch and hear about the conflict between Russia and the Ukraine think about the artist from Ukraine who went to school in Russia and creates works that "draw parallels between life's trials and spirituality." Remember Andrey Klimenko.