Saenko Ruslan

Saenko Ruslan (1933-2023) - an outstanding Ukrainian avant-garde artist, whose canvases, filled with rhythm and dynamics, became a real manifesto of freedom of creative expression. Music, especially jazz improvisation, was an inexhaustible source of inspiration for him. His work encompassed painting and graphics. The artist's works are widely known for their deep emotionality and accurate depiction of human experiences, a harmonious combination of the traditions of Ukrainian folk painting with modern artistic trends. He worked in the field of graphics and decorative and applied arts (art textiles), in particular tapestry in collaboration with his wife Lydia.

Early years and formation of the artist

Born on February 23, 1933 in Tashkent (Uzbekistan). His path to art began in Leningrad, where he studied at the Leningrad Higher Art and Pedagogical School from 1951 to 1966. One of his teachers was Anna Mordvinova, a representative of Pavel Filonov's school and a student of the famous artist Konstantin Petrov-Vodkin. It was this period of study that had an important influence on the formation of his artistic style, associated with the traditions of Russian avant-garde and expressionism.

After completing his studies in Leningrad, Saenko moved to Kyiv, where he continued his artistic education at the Kiev Art Institute, graduating in 1966. At this educational institution, he studied under the guidance of famous Ukrainian masters such as Vasily Kasyan, Oleksa Danchenko and Georgy Yakutovich. This stage of training finally established him as a master working in various areas of painting, in particular in decorative and applied art.

Life and work

Ruslan Saenko spent most of his life in Kyiv, where he worked in his own studio. However, he often traveled around Ukraine, inspired by natural landscapes, historical landmarks and folk culture. It was Ukrainian nature and culture that became the main source of inspiration for his work. In his works, Saenko sought to convey not only the external beauty, but also the soul of the Ukrainian land, its people and history.

The artist's creativity knows no bounds and covers many genres: from portraits and still lifes to landscapes and genre scenes. His paintings can be divided into several thematic cycles. One of the most famous is the cycle of landscapes, in which the artist depicted both rural and urban landscapes of Ukraine. These works are distinguished by special attention to detail, as well as subtle work with color and light, which gives the paintings a deep emotional resonance.

No less important direction in Saenko's work were portraits. The artist skillfully conveyed not only the appearance, but also the inner world of his heroes, creating deep, multi-layered images. Among his works, one can find portraits of famous people, as well as simple Ukrainian peasants.

Saenko actively participated in exhibitions of avant-garde art in Ukraine and abroad, contributing to the popularization of Ukrainian art in the world.

Style and technique

Ruslan Saenko's work is characterized by a unique synthesis of different styles. In the early period of his works, one can see the influence of realism, but over time he began to gravitate more towards impressionism and expressionism. His paintings are often distinguished by a free, emotional manner of painting, while the artist always paid special attention to composition and color harmony.

One of the key aspects of his work is attention to texture. Saenko often used dense brushstrokes, saturated colors, which created the effect of depth and volume. In landscapes, he worked especially subtly with color, conveying atmospheric phenomena and natural states.

Participation in exhibitions

Ruslan Saenko actively participated in art exhibitions both in Ukraine and abroad.

Participant of republican, all-Union and international exhibitions since 1962. Personal exhibitions were held in Kyiv, Moscow, Makhachkala, Hanoi (1985), Brussels (1993) and Paris (2005). In addition to painting, he is engaged in decorative and applied arts, in particular tapestry (in collaboration with his wife Lydia). His works are kept in museum galleries and private collections in Ukraine, Russia, France, Belgium, England, USA, Germany, Austria, Poland, China and other countries.

The artist's creative subjects often feature landscapes from his travels to Central Asia, Vietnam, and India, whose cultures he was fascinated with throughout his life. In the landscapes of Ukraine, the simplicity of rural motifs alternates with the sophistication of churches in the Ukrainian Baroque style. Music, including jazz compositions, has been Ruslan Saenko's driving force throughout his life. Both of the artist's sons, Andrey and Dmitry Saenko, also became artists.

A special role in the artist's career was played by his personal exhibition in Kyiv in 1995, where the best works from different periods of his work were presented. This exhibition attracted the attention of critics and collectors, securing Saenko's reputation as one of the leading artists of his generation.

Famous works

Among the most famous works of Ruslan Saenko, the following paintings can be highlighted:

1. “Ukrainian Autumn” (1978) is a landscape in which the artist depicts a traditional Ukrainian rural landscape in the golden tones of autumn.

2. “Portrait of a Mother” (1982) is a deep psychological portrait that conveys not only the appearance, but also the inner world of the model.

3. “Evening Kyiv” (1990) is a work that depicts the cityscape of the Ukrainian capital at sunset.

4. “Cossack Horses” (2001) is a historical painting reflecting the theme of the Ukrainian Cossacks, where the artist uses bright, expressive colors to convey dynamics and strength.

These works have become an important part of the Ukrainian artistic tradition and can be seen in both state museums and private collections.

Recent years and legacy

Ruslan Saenko continued to create until his death in 2023. In his final years, he lived in a small house in the Kyiv region, where he created his last works. Despite his advanced age, his works remained fresh and relevant, reflecting both his personal experiences and the general social and cultural changes taking place in Ukraine.

Ruslan Nikolaevich Saenko is an artist whose work has become an important milestone in the history of Ukrainian art. He not only reflected key moments of Ukrainian history and culture in his works, but also created a unique language of art that continues to inspire new generations of artists. His paintings are not just images, they are emotional and philosophical reflections on life, nature and man, which makes his work significant and in demand even years after his death.

His death in 2023 was a great loss to Ukrainian art, but his legacy lives on. Many of his works are now in major museums in Ukraine, as well as in private collections around the world (France, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, China, Korea, Vietnam, Hong Kong, England, Luxembourg, the USA, Austria, Germany, Latvia and Spain). Saenko left behind not only a rich artistic legacy, but also numerous students who continue to develop his ideas and approaches in contemporary painting.

Catalog of paintings

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