Alice Zakharenko (b. 2000, New York City) is an interdisciplinary artist, who works in print media, papermaking, painting, artist books and writing. Alice received her B.F.A at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2022. She curated her first show Experiential Play in 2023 at Fine Liquids Gallery and continued to curate shows such as Monophony, Bliss, and Aesthetics of Bliss. Zakharenko has published her first set of writings and images of her work in The Pluralist.
Alice Zakharenko
Captivated by the mundane life, I explore the everyday through a series of repetitions: systems of transportation, routine walks, decorative adornments, natural patterns felt during transient moments. I am curious about exploring stillness within the constant buzz of a city or the tranquillity of the country. I am concerned about material intra-actions rather than interactions by investigating the patterns that provide a symbol of identity and a passage of time.
Decorative patterns are so ingrained in our environment and within ourselves that we unconsciously overlook their importance. The foundations of patterns are built on finite forms and lines yet the permutations are infinite and limitless in space and time. There are no bounds of patterns in nature, yet they contain a paradox between the infinite and finite- the control and chaos. Patterns establish a sense of control through recognized sequences. We understand behaviours and our environment through these structures, but we are limited to follow the patterns that we observe. Can we really control patterns? I can manipulate patterns, yet I am influenced by them. I follow their set of rules. Patterns inherently provide stability, synonymous with safety and security. The greater likelihood of repetition, the more it will provide an essence of stability and order in our lives; however, the significance of the first set of a pattern diminishes. Infinite repeats give birth to differences. Due to their inherent rigidity, structural integrity, and predictability, patterns provide an immediate security, a comfort if you will. Patterns are both freedom and necessity.
the same old blue
ascending and descending
but a blue shadow,
carved an ending
of a nondescript tempo.
composed of lines and forms,
to leave down at the shore.
carry it to the storms,
to bring it back ashore.
where the still moon
shines brightly of a mirror
dreams wearily swoon,
a note ringing clearer.
to the shadow that never left
a blue eternity at rest.
at noon
a murmur
parched
the distance between here and now
at daybreak
all at one point
orbital
liminal
without color
Medium:
handmade denim/ cotton/ muslin/ abaca paper, gouache, and kozo paperSize:
45.5 x 61 cmgrowing pains
eternity may only be a river,
a wait that only beckons
until time collects a quiver
counting the very seconds.
in pure harmonic balance,
i drift amidst a melody.
waiting for a secret imbalance,
counting breathlessly.
a distance of my making
with hopes of replenishing
i remove the heavy breaking,
of a loneliness i fear, relishing.
listening all too alone
to find myself considerably grown.
temporary feelings
impatient nothingness
clear blur
Medium:
2022, digital print and graphite collograph on stonehenge paperSize:
variousa blue ribbon
stillness has arrived,
for its time always painted.
a concept quite contrived
and its image always tainted.
filled with tunes of silence,
of distance and gaps
thinking of its violence
on the verge of collapse.
endless moments
without needed to be written,
a benevolent endowment
unravelled with a blue ribbon.
treading on a pregnant pause
in absence of a cause.
you're fifteen minutes late –
2022, linoleum cut on southbank smooth paper, 53 x 56 cm
hey! let me in! –
2022, linoleum cut on southbank smooth paper, 53 x 56 cm
always on you –
2023, wood block on stonehenge paper
and so? –
2023, wood block on stonehenge paper