Victoria Trunova
Victoria Trunova
Victoria Trunova was born in May 19, 1958 in Kharkiv, Ukraine. From 1969 until 1980 she attended the Alexey SHTERN and Vitaly KULIKOV studio. She graduated from Kharkov State Academy of Design and Arts in 1980. She was a participant in all-Ukrainian, all-union, regional and foreign exhibitions from 1979. She was also a member of Ukrainian Artists Union from 1992. She passed away on July 07, 2023, in Kharkiv, Ukraine.
Victoria Trunova’s background and journey in the art world:
Victoria was born in 1958, in a city of Kharkiv, Ukraine (a part of USSR at the time). She begun to draw from very early years. At the school, she was officially allowed to draw during the lessions - because she drew anyway. She started her formal art education from attending the I. Repin Art School. Then, she studied at Alexey Shtern and Vitaly Kulikov studio. Graduated from Kharkov State Academy of Design and Arts in 1980.
Her inspiration:
Victoria was a representative of the 'Ukrainian New Wave' art movement, which emerged as a response by Soviet youth to years of artistic repression in the Soviet Union and as a consequence of the liberalization of Soviet society. The artist drew inspiration from classical avant-garde, Western modernism, and post-modernism.
The themes and underlying messages in her work:
Victoria worked in various genres throughout her life, ranging from almost realistic portraiture and still life to narrative conceptual painting. Among her works, there is a notable theme of rock and jazz music, with a series dedicated to musicians such as Jimi Hendrix, Frank Zappa, George Benson, and others. Another theme she explored is Tarot cards, especially the Cups suit. Her art also reflects the influence of various world mythologies, including Indian, Greek, and others. In recent years, Victoria's work has addressed the events of the war in Ukraine, as seen in series like "Who Will Shoot at My Window - Die," "Air Raid Sirens," and others.
Victoria’s work:
Most of Victoria's works are filled with light and colors, with significant emphasis placed on the exploration of geometric forms and lines. Her distinctive style is quite recognizable. Some names from her favorites library include Gerard Decrouzol, Kees Van Dongen, Raoul Dufy, Yuzo Saeki, Francisco Goya, from who she had inspiration.
Victoria’s creative process:
Victoria painted her pictures while secluded in her studio, immersing herself in music. Her works were often multi-layered, both literally and figuratively: some were painted on top of others, while others were slowly refined over the years, accumulating details. In her later years, due to illness, she rarely left her home, so she created endless landscapes from her window and still lifes on the windowsill. Also, since the beginning of the shelling of Kharkiv, unable to leave the city or seek shelter, she played music very loudly to drown out the sound of sirens and explosions.
The artist’s role in society:
An artist is undoubtedly a mirror that reflects the surrounding reality, selecting the most important and revealing meanings. Society, on the other hand, decides whether to heed the message sent by the artist. If society is not interested, the artist faces a difficult choice: either conform to the needs of society or continue transmitting their vision, regardless of the lack of interest. Victoria unequivocally chose the latter path, working in her studio for years, rarely participating in the country's artistic life, art scenes, or collaborations. She simply painted her pictures.
Victoria’s noteworthy exhibitions:
Throughout her life, Victoria participated in exhibitions of various scales. The last memorial exhibition of Victoria Trunova opened after her death on September 17, 2023, in the workshop premises in Kharkiv where she once worked and created many of her works.
Brush Bio: www.brush.bio/trunova
Other links: www.facebook.com/victoria.trunoova
