Description

LOT 60 Pavel Mazai
From the series “My Dreams”. Self-portrait, print on canvas
Limited edition, 3/10, 29 x 23cm, 2023
The artist created a unique painting masterpiece literally on the Artifacts of War. But first, a bit of history – it all started when our heroic soldiers collected from the very heat of battle the lids of the transport and launch containers of the Ukrainian S-300 air defense systems, which are knocked out during the launch of a missile, and these lids became an unusual basis for real paintings. By the way, all the artifacts were directly used by our artillery soldiers during combat operations to protect the Ukrainian sky.
All funds raised through the sale of works during the exhibition and auction will go to support the military, who are regularly supported by the Cossack Drive charity foundation.
Pavlo Mazai. Following in the tradition of customs officer Henri Rousseau*, Pavlo fell passionately in love with photography and left his career at Kyiv Customs. Traveling and discovering new countries, he shoots the most characteristic faces and prefers portrait photos. They are very personal, they have a lot of feelings, emotions and inspiration.
Almost all of his works are black and white. “When the color disappears, the photo becomes more complete, more precise,” says Pavlo. – “I like black and white, I like graphics and minimalism. Color distracts from the details and the image itself. That’s why black and white always wins.” In 2021, his exhibition was held under the patronage of the Ukrainian Embassy in Paris.
At the beginning of the invasion, he worked as part of the city’s terrorist defense.
*Henri Rousseau was a French artist who served for some time at the city customs, hence his nickname “The Customs Officer.”