"Nothing of the Kind" by Maria Polushkina

Maria Polushkina’s work was influenced by artists such as Friedensreich Hundertwasser, Amedeo Modigliani, René Magritte, Joan Miró, and Kazimir Malevich. They shaped my perspective on artistic expression, so echoes of Suprematism, Conceptualism, Surrealist painting, and Minimalist abstraction can be seen in my work.

The phrase "Nothing Like This" always implies dialogue and an emotional response, making it a perfect fit for an exhibition that always evokes a shared experience. The title of Maria Polushkina’s project combines several complementary meanings that invite play, just as the artist plays with the components of her signature style.

"I’ve never seen anything like this!" — these are the words every artist dreams of hearing when displaying the results of their painstaking, spiritual and physical labor. Maria makes her style truly unmistakable. Polushkina’s work is distinguished by its conceptual approach and playful spirit. The artist approaches painting as a game of words, meanings, and forms. Metaphor plays a significant role in her work. Maria’s works are a precisely crafted cocktail of lyricism and gentle humor that is effective from the very first encounter. Her technical execution deserves a special "nothing like this": the artist creates a smooth acrylic layer, which can only be achieved through careful, meditative application of brushstrokes.

The second, "Nothing of the sort!" is the artist’s own response to reviews. Curators and viewers almost always notice the smooth, fine lines in her paintings — the key technique Maria uses to create a gallery of her images. Compliments are given to her steady hand. However, the artist herself doesn’t consider her movements ideal and sees this imperfection as a reflection of life itself, with its peculiarities.

The third meaning of the exhibition’s title, which unites artist and viewers, is life-affirming. "Nothing Like This" is the life of every person. Each of us lives a unique, unrepeatable journey, and Maria Polushkina’s exhibition is, on the one hand, a way for the artist to share her personal experience, and on the other, an opportunity to connect with others who share similarly amazing lives.