ALEXANDER OLEKSYN

In Alexander Oleksyn’s “Venetian Suite”, we see an exploration of lithography within a certain set of self-determined rules. It has been said that “within the limitations, the master reveals himself”. For Oleksyn, this means adhering to a set of rules specific to the making of these prints similar to that of his painting practice.

To begin with, the size of the paper remains the same. All the prints are on white paper measuring 7 x 8.75 inches.  The seventeen images printed in black range in size from 5.75 x 4 in. (smallest) to 7 x 8.75 in. (largest). Some images are large in the format, and seem to hug the edge of the paper, while others are smaller, and leave a larger white border.

There is also variation in the weight of the line. Some prints use a single thin, delicate line, that doubles back on itself, filling the sheet with concentric rectangles, or defining a trapezoids. Other works in the series use thicker, more gestural lines to describe meandering, or more gestural “all-over” compositions.

The result is a systematic, but open group of prints that records a period of time set aside for exploration, and one that showcases Oleksyn’s ability to focus in on the salient elements that make up his practice.

– Andrew Mockler