HELEN IVASHKIN
''UNDER THE SIGN OF PISCES''
21 FEB — 20 MARCH
AT OLGA SANTOS GALLERY
PORTO
Fish and the ocean are integral to Portuguese life. Along the banks of the Douro River, fishermen work from dawn until dusk; fish markets brim with abundance; and the forms of sea creatures appear throughout the country’s iconic azulejo tiles.
To many, fish evoke silence—a life without emotion. But I see them differently. To me, fish embody freedom. They are as unbound and fluid as birds in flight. In early Christianity, the fish was a sacred symbol, a quiet sign of faith, drawn by believers in search of one another.
This exhibition—my study of fish—is both a personal exploration of Portugal and a gesture of solidarity with its culture and people. (Helen Ivashkin)
The fish are presented on the original drawing tablets, preserving a deliberate sense of incompletion and immediacy. Their lightness suggests that they have only just been created—and that the series itself remains an open, evolving process.
REVIEW:
«Elena Ivashkina's art is a dance between fluidity and sensitivity, where watercolour is transformed into a portal to the soul. In her latest series, the fish emerges as a central element, echoing not only the universal symbolism of transformation and rebirth, but also its deep connection to Portuguese culture, where the sea is essential to a people's identity and survival. With loose brushstrokes and textures that capture the essence of water, Elena brings to life fish that seem to swim between worlds, evoking the ceaseless movement of the ocean and of existence itself.
As a Russian, Elena Ivashkina carries with her the depth of a culture rooted in poetry, spirituality and symbolism. However, her art knows no boundaries. Her watercolours become a bridge between different worlds, between the known and the mysterious, between nations and cultures. It's time to remember that art is a universal language, capable of uniting people, overcoming language barriers and creating connections wherever we are.
Just as the sea bathes distant lands and unites continents, Elena Ivashkina's art flows without limits, bringing with it stories, emotions and meanings that echo in the soul of the beholder. It is an invitation to travel, to dream and to reflect, a stream of beauty that takes us to places where words cannot reach.»
