Mykola Bilous
MYKOLA BILOUS 1956-2023 Mykola Bilous invented a new method of harmonising colours through inversion. But the inversion – change of colours – is regulated by certain rules. The first one is using the basic tone (a mix of three core colours – red, blue, and yellow), the second one is putting a thin layer of open colours based on the principle of complimentarity, i.e. links between the key and auxilliary colours, which are opposite. These rules were developed by theorists of the Bauhaus school. Furthermore, Mykola Bilous lays the basic tone as shadow, and colours as light. He works with open colours. The black colour is just the air, fully excluded from the basic composition. It seems that figures of the characters are brightly illuminated at night, or it resembles a theatrical scene, where the background is darkened. The plot of an artwork is secondary to the artist vs the colour solution. This is a combination of open colours without undertones. The combination of the relief and poster-like aesthetics, in the author’s perception, combines the two spaces – the sculptural and optical ones – i.e., the artwork is flat and volumetric at the same time. This formal solution is absolutely original and offers a somewhat different semantic line vs the plot line of the artwork as such. The range and arrangement of colours are of key significance. Finally, Mykola Bilous is a post-medial artist, in his art he often goes back to the film frames that were previously borrowed by cameramen from classics of painting. Was born 31.03.1956 in the Lisovichi village, Kyiv region 1982 – Graduated from Crimean art school 1987 – Graduated from Art and Industry institute in Kharkiv 1983 – Internship in the high school of design in Galla, Germany 1988-1996 – Teacher of art disciplines on the architectural design sub-faculty, department of artistic ceramics of National technical university named after Y.Kondratyk in Poltava EXHIBITIONS: ArtVienna. 2022 POSITIONS BERLIN. 2015, 2016, 2017, 2022 WopArt Lugano. 2019 Scope NY. 2019 Scope Miami Beach. 2017, 2018 Scope Basel. 2017 Contemporary Istanbul. 2012 ART-VILNIUS. 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2022 International Vilnius Painting Triennial “Nomadic Images.” 2016 Salon D'automne, Paris. 2009 Self-acquisition, Tsekh, Kyiv. 2008 His works are in the city galleries and in private collections in Germany, France, Italy, Czech Republic, Brasilia, Austria, Turkey, Lithuania, Latvia, USA, and Ukraine.