CLASSICAL SYMBOLISM GALLERY IMAGES

Adam & Eve, an acrylic work by artist Vladimir Nazarov explores what the artist terms the ‘vibration of love.’ Awash with Edenic waves of purple, teal, turquoise, and lime circling out from a loose outline of an apple – as a visual metaphor the piece foregrounds the rethinking of negative connotations toward women inherent to classic Judeo-Christian thinking. Through a gateway where love and passion reign supreme, masculine and feminine energy balanced equally are the core of this healing and restorative vision.

Wrapped in a painterly milk of silver, crimson and teal, Beauty Reincarnate explores the past life of a resplendent woman whose wisdom speaks through her divinely penetrative gaze. Back lit by chimeras of her past embodiments – the white horse and handmaidens indicate her former position of nobility – this delicate old soul floats in the colored mists of ancient evenings and spiral memory.

Sinuous, inky waves of pullulating light characterize Butterfly’s sweet and palatial vision. Utilizing the butterfly as a symbol of transformation and delicate feminine beauty, painter Vladimir Nazarov succeeds in another escape into a more pure, more blissful, more serene dimension. With light cascading out of the upper right hand corner, Nazarov’s vision absorbs the viewer like a soothing and restorative balm.

Change, a diptych featuring two glimpses of a bucolic countryside landscape, explores notions of environmental conservation, community, and the evolving and precarious balance between organic and constructed dwellings. A bountiful harvest and sweet rural life on the left confronts the lush green pastures of a pristine meadow dotted with tender ferns and creeping violet weeds. Beneath Nazarov’s playful pairing of two comparably pleasant abodes lies a serious metaphysical quandary concerning territory, belonging, space and time.

Change, a diptych featuring two glimpses of a bucolic countryside landscape, explores notions of environmental conservation, community, and the evolving and precarious balance between organic and constructed dwellings. A bountiful harvest and sweet rural life on the left confronts the lush green pastures of a pristine meadow dotted with tender ferns and creeping violet weeds. Beneath Nazarov’s playful pairing of two comparably pleasant abodes lies a serious metaphysical quandary concerning territory, belonging, space and time.

This piece shows the artist’s ancestors and how they connect throughout time – each story leading to the present. In the middle stands a triumphant present Nazarov in a flowing cape. His predecessors from left to right wear scholarly attire, and armor respectfully. They hold up a coat of arms as if carrying the past in their hands. The artist uses a palette of red and contrasts it with a radiant blue in the coat of arms.

Fruition, an acrylic on canvas diptych by artist Vladimir Nazarov, offers a glimpse into a redolent and tranquil paradise. Constructed in two parts as dripping, dangling, flowing bouquets of fruit coated in silvery dew, this icy land of plenty uses the pullulating lines of Abstraction to great the dawn of desire and realization. Fruition depicts the luscious fruits ripened by creativity expressed through conscious deliberate action.

Fruition, an acrylic on canvas diptych by artist Vladimir Nazarov, offers a glimpse into a redolent and tranquil paradise. Constructed in two parts as dripping, dangling, flowing bouquets of fruit coated in silvery dew, this icy land of plenty uses the pullulating lines of Abstraction to great the dawn of desire and realization. Fruition depicts the luscious fruits ripened by creativity expressed through conscious deliberate action.

Vladmir Nazarov’s Gaia, ‘Goddess of Nature,’ is a spiritual bon vivant evoking the splendor of the organic, the guiding presence of roots and the positive sensual. Like many of his acrylic on canvas works, Gaia features Nazarov’s stylistic use of image on image overlap. Against soft cascading light waves appear opalescent orbs of fruit juxtaposing the stark outlines of Gaia, the female deity symbolizing our sacred, universal connection to Mother Earth.

The caramel approximation of artist Vladimir Nazarov’s Silver Dreams, this set of two panels of nudes appear protected by a thin, delicate and ethereal veil of light. Rendered in golden hues – gold symbolically associated with self-renewal and psychic development or the ‘true self’; again Nazarov adopts pears, grapes and peaches as well as floating, aquatic abstractions to connote the ‘fruits’ of prosperity in its metaphysical totality.

The caramel approximation of artist Vladimir Nazarov’s Silver Dreams, this set of two panels of nudes appear protected by a thin, delicate and ethereal veil of light. Rendered in golden hues – gold symbolically associated with self-renewal and psychic development or the ‘true self’; again Nazarov adopts pears, grapes and peaches as well as floating, aquatic abstractions to connote the ‘fruits’ of prosperity in its metaphysical totality.

In the wake of the catastrophic 2010 earthquake in Haiti, artist Vladimir Nazarov painted what could be termed a visual ‘requiem’ for the Island and its inhabitants. Drowning his painterly landscapes in wild waves of atmospheric color, Nazarov absorbs the myriad forces related to the devastating event. Sentiments of instability, rupture, fear and faith collide in a galvanizing vision of hope Nazarov crowns with floating angel bodies there to bless and protect the recovering life below.

A luscious October maiden epitomizing the proverbial ‘bosom’ of Autumn, Vladimir Nazarov’s acrylic on canvas painting Harvest Goddess is a paean singing homage to the abundant new beginning offered by the months leading up to winter frost. Subsumed in a rainbow aura bleeding out from her core – a pooling oasis of water symbolizing birth and regeneration – an unruly mane of sticks and sun ripened apples seals this Goddess of harvest in the radiant light of fresh beginnings and life giving fruition.

In this piece, the artist uses his signature lively layered strokes to signify chaos between nature and humans. As the giant leaf burns and floats through the sky, the figure below hangs on for her life. The leaf manipulates her figure with the force of a chaotic storm of blue in the background. The relationship between the two is uncertain and one wonders what will become of the figure.

Leaf #2 24"H x 24"W - This piece signifies peace as the leaf dissipates in the light azure air. Near the stem, there are two flute players blissfully pushing the leaf along with music. Nazarov uses his characteristic jesters personifying playfulness in life.

Nazarov alternates between using thick and light brush strokes on this mediation on stability. The female figure’s spine bends forward, recycling the energy made by her active feet. This action completes the circle and harmonizes all energy in the image.

Inspired by Feng Shui, Nazarov paints nine peaches which bring one happiness and bliss. In the clouds surrounding them are bundles of sunflowers which have a rich texture due to the layering of paint by the artist. The flowers form an infinity symbol.

Night 48"H x 48"W - In this pair of paintings, Nazarov shows the same woman ruling over night and day. Consequently, the compositions mirror each other: each has a curvaceous female central figure who rules over her respective domain. Their diaphanous peplos melts into the swirling background of sky. They are masters of their skills which they show in beguiling facial expressions. The artist has a painterly technique which gives motion to the swirling image of sky. This also adds to his idea of people’s unity of nature. In the night scene, a peaceful dusk sky transitions to twilight at the hand of a woman who wears a bemused expression. From her seat in the crescent moon, her feelings seem to come from what she sees as she watches the Earth below. During daytime, the lady has a more serious expression as if confronting the morning. She is busy nurturing life in her hands while reflecting a pure focused light in the other. Her fiery red hair illuminates the painting as the artist thoughtfully diffuses those colors in the canvas borders.

Nostalgia, an oblong portrait by painter Vladimir Nazarov, depicts a female figure lost in thoughts and memories; residues of a Romantic, a temporal paradigm. Laced with traces of violet, teal and especially pink – a color believed therapeutically speaking to induce feelings of calm, protection, nurturing and unselfish love – the central figure appears white. White being the color of ultimate purity, Nostalgia speaks to the utter perfection of the longings and recollections contained in the mind’s eye.

Color is a vibrational and visual source of energy that we interact with on a daily basis, a true tonic to the somatic intelligence. In artist Vladimir Nazarov’s painting Nymphs, comprised of 3 long vertical panels, we see the splendor of color therapy conjoined with the sweetly sensual feminine mystique. Wrapped in a mirage of light refracted color, foliage, fruits and roses, Nazarov’s softly rendered female figures float and recede amidst rolling, atmospheric hues like mystical fancies.

Color is a vibrational and visual source of energy that we interact with on a daily basis, a true tonic to the somatic intelligence. In artist Vladimir Nazarov’s painting Nymphs, comprised of 3 long vertical panels, we see the splendor of color therapy conjoined with the sweetly sensual feminine mystique. Wrapped in a mirage of light refracted color, foliage, fruits and roses, Nazarov’s softly rendered female figures float and recede amidst rolling, atmospheric hues like mystical fancies.

Color is a vibrational and visual source of energy that we interact with on a daily basis, a true tonic to the somatic intelligence. In artist Vladimir Nazarov’s painting Nymphs, comprised of 3 long vertical panels, we see the splendor of color therapy conjoined with the sweetly sensual feminine mystique. Wrapped in a mirage of light refracted color, foliage, fruits and roses, Nazarov’s softly rendered female figures float and recede amidst rolling, atmospheric hues like mystical fancies.

Suspended in midair by a rope with a fire tip just above a dark swirling vortex, the buxom female figure of Vladimir Nazarov’s painting On the Ecstatic Verge is inspired by the ‘Hangman’ tarot card. Swirling opalescent winds of paint in blue, violet and gold coalesce with the sparkling hair and limbs of lute playing figures that watch on like protective and omnipotent deities. A portrait capturing a female in the throes of ecstatic union with feminine energies sensuous and divine, Nazarov adopts the serpent – a cross-cultural symbol for sexuality and balance – to enhance his visual narrative.

Play, a triptych in acrylic by artist Vladimir Nazarov is a gilded turquoise diluvian dreamscape. Dominated by azure hues – blue at an advanced level of mystical awareness being associated with primal energy and the universal life force – the women of Play move freely. They are constantly in a state of transformation and deeply sensual indolence. Some begin to take on fish and mermaid qualities in a subtle transition confusing the boundaries of predator and prey. In the central panel, masculine bodies exist in an inward spiraling orb with the appearance of a vortex. As a set, Play probes to the depths of masculine and feminine polarities with succinct and virtuous results.

Play, a triptych in acrylic by artist Vladimir Nazarov is a gilded turquoise diluvian dreamscape. Dominated by azure hues – blue at an advanced level of mystical awareness being associated with primal energy and the universal life force – the women of Play move freely. They are constantly in a state of transformation and deeply sensual indolence. Some begin to take on fish and mermaid qualities in a subtle transition confusing the boundaries of predator and prey. In the central panel, masculine bodies exist in an inward spiraling orb with the appearance of a vortex. As a set, Play probes to the depths of masculine and feminine polarities with succinct and virtuous results.

Play, a triptych in acrylic by artist Vladimir Nazarov is a gilded turquoise diluvian dreamscape. Dominated by azure hues – blue at an advanced level of mystical awareness being associated with primal energy and the universal life force – the women of Play move freely. They are constantly in a state of transformation and deeply sensual indolence. Some begin to take on fish and mermaid qualities in a subtle transition confusing the boundaries of predator and prey. In the central panel, masculine bodies exist in an inward spiraling orb with the appearance of a vortex. As a set, Play probes to the depths of masculine and feminine polarities with succinct and virtuous results.

This piece is inspired by the Kama Sutra. Nazarov makes use of an orange palette to denote the sensual nature of the figures. In the center, he shows the ubiquitous story of sexuality. As the artist layers stories the eye floats around seeing them individually and then in one larger story. Above them is nature looking down on the figures, urging the figures to love on.

Fluid momentum, delicate swirling strokes and soft multihued ribbons comprise the chaotic foundation of Vladimir Nazarov’s acrylic work Poppy Field. A veritable storm of botanicals, this impressive composition stretches Nazarov’s characteristically sublime use of coloration to impressive lengths. An extension of his Goddess of Nature series, nestled inside the wave of poppies lays a nubile nude caught in the plentiful fold of petals crimson, teal, and gold.

Two lovers embrace amidst a flowing lilac color wash, translucent sheets of running water and a barrage of romantic apparitions in Vladimir Nazarov’s painting Romance. Two lodestars relating the protean nature of romantic, physical love; these soulful shape shifters project their own harmonious union into the folds of light, water and foliage comprising their sweet smelling and pleasure filled cavern. A subtle variation on Nazarov’s characteristic use of layering and double image, Romance upholds the notion that true love is a mutual, albeit grand, illusion.

This painting shows women at the center of nature and the seasons. In the upper left corner, one sees a personification of autumn in warmer shades. Next one sees winter in cooler shades controlling the mix of the seasons. Below are spring and summer seemingly more young and vibrant than their predecessors. All of the ladies float in a primordial fog of colors and grace as if they own the Earth.

A diptych comprised of two long panels, artist Vladimir Nazarov’s Silver Dreams depicts a female figure adorned by sterling bunches of grapes, peaches, roses and pears. Captured in multiple glimpses as if behind a lustrous argentate sheath, the ample perfection of the female mirrors the bulbous proportions of the fruit. Run through vertically by multihued ribbons of paint adopting the likeness of water, Silver Dreams is brimming with the symbology of abundance.

A diptych comprised of two long panels, artist Vladimir Nazarov’s Silver Dreams depicts a female figure adorned by sterling bunches of grapes, peaches, roses and pears. Captured in multiple glimpses as if behind a lustrous argentate sheath, the ample perfection of the female mirrors the bulbous proportions of the fruit. Run through vertically by multihued ribbons of paint adopting the likeness of water, Silver Dreams is brimming with the symbology of abundance.

This portrait of singer Patricia Kaas shows her dining in an ethereal restaurant surrounded by poppies, pomegranates, and other edibles. She looks at the viewer inquisitively while wearing a translucent dress. Her headdress is like a horn of plenty with feathers, fruits and flowers framing her face. The background color contrasts her flaming hair and allows the viewer to feel tranquil.

Spells recalls the time of magic and heresy, of charming enchantresses and mysterious omens. Adopting the Owl and Cat as animal guides – the Owl being wise, protective and introspective and the cat known as a symbol of wholeness and the merging of the psychic and sensual – Vladimir Nazarov explores the allure of duality and the Moon and Sun sides we collectively inhabit. Half heavenly funnel of light and half moonlit cavern of mischief, Spells celebrates the laws of polarity and attraction.

Fancy feathered brush strokes in vibrant colors compliment the central imagery of artist Vladimir Nazarov’s Still life with Cat Mask. Peeking out from a twirling floral arrangement, this curious portrait of a painted wood cat mask recalls various non-Western traditions in which carved animal masks are said to connect people with the spirit world inhabiting nature. Packed with radiating hues, this contemporary take on the still life is a meditative object of intercultural fusion.

Folds of flesh in pale pink, platinum gold and flame red comprise the translucent figuration in this large scale acrylic on canvas work by artist Vladimir Nazarov. Extrapolating upon the cosmic laws of purity and impurity, Nazarov depicts a fiery inferno turned sweet surrender into the immersive bliss of abundant corporeal pleasures. Rich earth tones and faceless female figures forge a secret window into the power of seduction and the healing nature of the sensual.

Opalescent arches of rainbow light shift and melt around the subject of painter Vladimir Nazarov’s work Timeless Beauty. Compositionally, the work is comprised of segments or shards representing parallel time, each of which converge around a female figure whose physical effulgence is mirrored by her strings of pearls and diamonds. Combining the symbolism of these stones – pearls being representative of love/knowledge and diamonds identified cross-culturally as ‘divine gifts’ – with the face of infinite beauty, Nazarov dips into the hypnotic territory of eternal spring.

In this creation narrative, Nazarov shows that love is the foundation of the world. The other central figure is a jester who is an influence over Adam and Eve pictured to the right. The jester gives an ambiguous smile. Is he God or the snake in this garden scene? Is he dangerous or comical? Nazarov shows a painterly style in this piece which allows for one to see chaos coming up from behind the tree of life to the foreground. The spinning motion of the paint strokes gives a cyclical feeling to this painting, and time itself.

In his painting Wave, Vladimir Nazarov’s brilliant coloration captures the delicate translucence of the extempore tide. A spiritual ethnographer painting water as a symbol of life, Nazarov’s gaze permeates across the field of interdynamic contingencies – movement/process, perception as embodiment, water as a simulacrum of paint. The silken figures caught in the force of the wave help one another to stay afloat amidst the frothy tumult garnishing the sea’s edge.

This personification of motherhood acts as a goddess figure for the artist. She is all that is in control of history, the present and the future. As one looks past the curvaceous form he/she notices that in the fiery background is a history of Western culture from the ancient Egyptians, the Greeks, and even a skyscraper. This image of female power is enhanced by velvety burgundies and highlights of violet around the figure.

World in His Hands, a painting by artist Vladimir Nazarov, recalls the optimism, spontaneity and innocence of youth via the artist’s use of precise figuration set against a warping rainbow color field. A narrative portrait of a boy holding ‘The whole world in is hands,’ by color symbolist readings the composition’s bold multi-color spectrum reflects agency and ambition. A veritable talisman for growth and transformation, the work frames the dynamism of youth within the wisdom of experience.

Yellow Shoes is a narrative portrait featuring a couple engaged in the dynamic act of courtship. Her nudity is a symbol of the openness and sharing of the authentic self to which the male suitor is privy having finally succeeded in drawing her in. Adopting yellow as the color of the woman’s shoes, which also serve as her ‘vehicle’ of seduction; painter Vladimir Nazarov sweetly incorporates the hue’s symbolic associations – joy and delight, optimism, enlightenment and happiness – into this age-old lover’s equation.