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This exhibition comes at a particularly sensitive time for the artist. Born in Stravapole, Russia in 1963, Isupov is the son of a painter and sculptor. He was raised and educated in Kyiv, Ukraine and Tallinn, Estonia when both of these now separate countries were part of the USSR. Isupov's father, mother, and brother, also all established artists, currently reside in Kyiv, Ukraine. With the backdrop of the current war there and threats of Russian aggression in Estonia, Isupov’s recent studio work took on an urgency to counter the overwhelming anxiety and concern for his family facing down threats to their safety and the loss of their formerly peaceful lives.
“This show was especially poignant to watch develop and see the images emerge that express fear, worry, and emotions through the narratives he paints. We are neighbors and share a daily exchange. Concerned about the awful news coming out of Kyiv, I would ask about his mother Nelli, learn she was OK, momentarily relieved. Sergei would return to the studio, to the cycle of worry, processing emotions through the illustration details in his time intensive surfaces," says Leslie Ferrin, founding director of Ferrin Contemporary and Project Art, where this exhibition was produced.
Sergei Isupov: PAST & PRESENT
Saturday, May 7 – Sunday, June 26 with an artist talk and reception at the gallery on Saturday, June 4 from 4 – 6pm.
All events at Ferrin Contemporary are FREE.
PHOTO: Sergei Isupov, “Like an Eternity”, 2022, photo credit: John Polak
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