When viewing a painting by Lev Khesin, you might wonder, “Can I touch it?” His innovative technique involves layering silicone, allowing for unpredictable outcomes. This method embraces chance and materiality, creating works that explore light, matter, and patience. As painter Robert Ryman said, “The basic problem is what to do with paint.” For Khesin, his paintings are a contemporary, dynamic expression that aims to show rather than tell.
The Artistic Journey: From Russia to the Avant-Garde
Born in 1981 in Pensa, Russia, the painter grew up with parents who specialized in icon painting. A product of his time, he blends traditional influences with contemporary practice. Galerist Johannes Zielke describes the work as “only consistent” and connects it with the legacy of American colour field painters like Ad Reinhardt and Mark Rothko. Zielke believes this artist embodies the spirit of the true avant-garde today.
International Exposure and Study Shaping the Practice
His artistic development includes study trips to the US and Japan. The works have been showcased across Italy, Russia, Germany, the Netherlands, and Australia, gaining international recognition.
Unique Use of Silicone: A New Material Language
Unlike many predecessors, silicone is the primary medium here. This soft, murky material allows pigments to be mixed directly, creating rich layers of transparent color. The paintings take months to complete, shaped with spatulas and squeegees, resulting in textures that challenge traditional paint surfaces.
Meditation and Materiality in Painting
The artist compares the process to Zen rituals and archery, focusing intensely on the present moment. Semi-transparent surfaces evolve over time, inviting viewers into a meditative experience. The “Dark Matter” series reveals complex color spectrums beneath apparent blackness, proving black is never simply black in this work.
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