LINES

D Contemporary is pleased to announce “Lines”, Anna Lugovska’s first solo exhibition in London. Through colourful paintings showcasing human forms through interwoven lines and patterns, Anna masterfully weaves together diverse historical and cultural contexts. Each distinct composition contributes to a unified narrative, forming a cohesive mosaic on square wooden surfaces and canvases.

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Traversing the rich tapestries of history, from Byzantine iconography and Japanese woodcuts to Middle Eastern symbolism, Anna crafts the omnipresence of lines, adorning flat silhouettes with intricate patterns that serve a dual purpose: they enhance the narrative within each artwork or visually deconstruct it, offering a fresh perspective on traditional forms.

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The project “Lines” seeks to blur the boundaries between individual cultures and epochs, redirecting the viewer’s focus to the perceptual "line" through which these cultures are often viewed—an interpretation that can diverge significantly from their original context. By emphasizing this evolving perspective, Lugovska's work encourages reflection on the fluid nature of identity and representation.

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The Basel based painter, Anna Lugovska, examines humanity’s identity in relation to society, to particular generations, and to global influences that form the consciousness of people today. She often references time in the context of rapid social transformations, illustrating it with specific metaphorical features. Anna’s artworks also reflect interpersonal relationships as well as environmental and ecological challenges.

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According to Anna: “an artwork transmits both a message and a philosophical idea, revealing them only gradually at a short distance… There is something intriguing about the way monumental principles influence the viewer’s perception’’. She codes the senses and visual details into raw decorative shapes and unique textures. She often encourages the viewer to spend time discovering the piece, exploring various techniques and materials on canvas, wood, paper, and wall. 

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After graduating from the T. Shevchenko State Art School, Anna Lugovska entered the National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture in Kyiv from where she obtained Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in monumental painting. She won the Presidential Grant for young artists in Ukraine and was awarded the Golden Medal by her Art Academy. In 2023, she successfully defended her PhD in History and Theory of Art at the National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture while simultaneously studying at the University of Basel in Switzerland.

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Anna has participated in multiple international exhibitions in Switzerland, the USA, Montenegro, UAE, and Ukraine. Her artworks have become part of private collections around the world. Anna’s art residencies include: Atelier Mondial, Basel, Switzerland (2022), “Made in Chernobyl,” Chernobyl, Ukraine (2019), “Art Optimism,” Newburgh, NY, USA (2018), and “Artists for the Museums of Montenegro,” Kotor, Montenegro (2016).