Exhibition: Paintings by Diana Krilova

Exhibition: Paintings by Diana Krilova

Evoking a sense of suspended wonder, Diana Krilova’s paintings lead us into a space of possible narratives connecting adults with children with nature.

After becoming a mother in 2011 Diana Krilova has adopted her painting style and colours to those more frequently seen in paintings made by children. Bright colours and multiple point perspective in her works create an atmosphere of a magical dream taking us back into a slow pace, following paths among trees. In this way landscapes are seen from the level of close up experience. Trees can be climbed and grass can be picked, there are many ways to go with every place creating new narratives.

Diana Krilova’s paintings ask us to slow down, to look around, to breath in and out, to remember how to perceive the world of nature in the way children do, opened-eyed, exploring and adjusting their play to the natural environment

When landscape is seen at this level, by drawing us in it poses fundamental questions of what it means to be human. Why do most of us lose this connectivity with the world of nature when we grow up? What are the narratives of the world of nature beyond us and how to live together with nature without destroying it?

Children learn on their feet, it’s time to watch them play and learn how to wander again.

Krilova’s painting process is very simple, she watches her children play, sketches, photographs and does primary research on location. Initial ideas are made into monotone paintings either in red or yellow oil on canvas, which then evolve into larger scale colour paintings.

Born in Russia in 1978, Diana Krilova has been based in the UK since 1993, her current studio is in London. With her background in fine art and anthropology, Krilova’s previous work addressed scenarios of the everyday, of misunderstanding based on cultural backgrounds and misplacement. She has had solo exhibitions at Liverpool Biannual 2004 and 2006, 5th Base Gallery London (2017, 2018), lead workshops at Tate Liverpool (2005) and worked on international projects in Spain (2006), France (2006) and Latvia (2007).

Private view: Thursday, 4th at 6pm