In Irina Goryunova’s paintings, abstract patterns of color reveal the essence of a variety of settings. From capturing the energy of an urban street to bringing the drama in a night sky alive, she puts the emotions and moods of each scene into the foreground, focusing the viewer’s attention on what normally lies below the surface. “My goal is to provoke reflection on a specific topic,” she says, and in her images the artist provides those reflections with a textured physical presence.
Working in oils on canvas, Goryunova makes strong use of their deep, rich tones. Her approach to applying colors—she mixes her paints on the canvas rather than the palette—accentuates their purity as well as the instinctive quality of her work. A proudly self-taught artist, she says that she creates in a state that is “close to trance.” But her work is also a powerful act of communication. She tells the stories not only of the scenes she depicts, but also of the process of creation. The artist lives and works in Moscow.
