VASILISA ROMANENKO 

BIRDS & BLOOMS

solo exhibition

March 7th - 30th, 2025

Opening Reception: First Friday, March 7th, 2025 ​

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In the Victorian era, William Morris turned the decorative handmade into an act of total rebellion. Using art, he bucked the manufactured products and inhumane factories of the Industrial Age–simply by making beautiful things by hand. Vasilisa’s work has always reminded us of William Morris, whom she cites as a source of inspiration. Informed by ornamental patterning, Vasilisa’s new solo BIRDS & BLOOMS reflects her commitment to naturalism and tight, technical rendering. With her work, she reminds us that (when everything is a dumpster fire) beauty itself can be revolutionary–and nothing can substitute the artist or their craft. 

 

“I want my work to feel like an escape from everyday life, like taking a moment to be still and appreciate nature. For BIRDS & BLOOMS, I created portraits that enhance the beauty of birds by making them stand out from lush and opulent backgrounds. The female “Ring-Necked Pheasant,” for instance is a bird that is often overlooked; it is not as flashy or colorful as its male counterpart. But I wanted the pheasant in my painting to look dignified and majestic…There is something really rewarding about seeing your vision come to life. I love that I can picture a painting in my head, then figure out which steps I need to take to get to that final vision. I think of it as problem solving, and I love that I can create something beautiful that brings joy to other people.” - Vasilisa Romanenko

 

Vasilisa Romanenko is based in Connecticut. She attributes much of her artistic education to her upbringing; her parents are both artists, and she graduated with a degree in Illustration from the Fashion Institute of Technology. BIRDS & BLOOMS is Vasilisa’s fourth solo feature with Arch Enemy Arts, following three previously sold out shows. Nine paintings in acrylic on canvas make stars out of herons, pheasants, warblers, and crows swaddled in lush and layered flora. Lilies, pomegranates, roses, and poppies make for serene yet ornate and brightly colored works of art. The show will be on view through the end of March at Arch Enemy Arts in Philadelphia with an opening reception on First Friday, March 7th from 5 - 9 p.m. 

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BIRDS & BLOOMS will be on view from March 7th - 30th, 2025
Sold works will begin to ship the week starting April 6th, unless other rush shipping arrangements have been made. 

Items marked with a red dot have already been sold.

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