Oil painting Tea and cigarette Oleksandr Gukalov

№AAA3500

The painting titled "Tea and Cigarette", created in oil on canvas, offers a striking and intimate depiction of a quiet, contemplative moment. At first glance, the composition appears simple—a close-up of a cup of tea resting on a saucer, accompanied by a cigarette and a partially eaten piece of chocolate—but the artist imbues this seemingly ordinary scene with depth and meaning.The focal point of the artwork is a beautifully painted cup, adorned with vivid blue floral patterns. The intricate design of the cup and saucer evokes a sense of elegance and nostalgia, perhaps symbolizing the cherished rituals of daily life. The tea, dark and rich, fills the cup almost to the brim, suggesting warmth and comfort. The reflection of light on the surface of the tea adds a realistic and inviting touch, drawing the viewer into the scene.Beside the tea, a cigarette rests casually on the saucer. Its faint trail of smoke rises subtly into the air, adding a dynamic and fleeting element to the otherwise still composition. The cigarette contrasts sharply with the delicacy of the teacup, hinting at themes of tension between refinement and indulgence, or perhaps the coexistence of habits both nourishing and harmful.A piece of chocolate, partially consumed and revealing its vibrant red filling, sits alongside the cigarette. Its bright color stands out against the muted tones of the background and the monochrome saucer, serving as a visual reminder of life's fleeting pleasures. Together, the chocolate and cigarette suggest an interplay between indulgence, comfort, and the ephemeral nature of time.The background is deliberately dark and minimalist, directing the viewer's attention to the foreground. The absence of additional elements in the setting isolates the objects, enhancing their symbolic value and the intimate atmosphere of the painting.Through this work, the artist seems to explore themes of solitude, routine, and the quiet moments that punctuate our lives. It invites the viewer to reflect on the balance between simplicity and complexity, pleasure and routine, and the small, meaningful rituals that shape our days. The painting captures not only a still life but also an emotional narrative, reminding us of the beauty and significance found in life's mundane yet profound moments.

*** ABOUT THIS PAINTING ***
* TITLE: "Tea and cigarette"
* ARTISTS: Oleksandr Gukalov
* SIZE: 50x70 cm/'19.68x27.55 inches'
* MEDIUM: oil, canvas
* HAND PAINTED: Original painting from our collection
* CONDITION: we tried to convey the maximum information with the help of photos about this product

About the artists: Oleksiyander Gukalov
After graduating from Lviv Polytechnic, he was engaged in scientific work. In his free time, he studied the works of Plato, the poetry of the ancient East, and religious works. At this time, resistance to the routine of life and utilitarian science arose in him; he became interested in man and his secrets. Oleksiyander decided to end his engineering career and become a humanitarian. Since 1990, he began to write and publish philosophical poems. Later he decided to devote himself to painting, a passion for which began during his years of study at the Lviv Polytechnic with caricatures and caricatures of classmates and teachers.

Since 2017 he has been painting with oil paints. Oleksiyander does not have a formal art education, but he is convinced that the craft and talent of an artist do not directly depend on professional education. The artist's works are characterized by completeness of composition and depth of meaning. He is not afraid to work with different themes, his paintings are true modern art that touches people. The artist’s portfolio includes landscapes and views of his favorite cities, portraits of pop stars, politicians, athletes, relatives, and animals. “I draw a toga when I feel the need for it. Therefore, I cannot say that I work in some narrow direction. Rather, it is a call from the soul,” the artist says about himself.

Exhibitions

2011 – Personal exhibition, Lutsk

2011 – Exhibition “World of Jazz”, Lutsk

2011 – Exhibition Arts.in.ua, Kiev

2012 – Personal exhibition in the art cafe “Apartment 35”, Lviv

2012 – Personal exhibition “On the Waves of Dreams”, Lutsk

2012 – International exhibition “Plain Air”, West Park Art Gallery, New York

2012 – International competition “Peace, Time and People”, special medal of achievements St. Michael, New York

2012 – Exhibition of artists who were included in the K-Gallery catalogue, Kyiv

2012 – International exhibition-competition of contemporary art “Ukrainian Art Week”, Kyiv

2013 – opening of a permanent exhibition and sale, Lutsk

2013 – Exhibition “Spring Impressions” of the international art project “Vicious Circle of Impressions”, Kiev

2015 – Personal exhibition, Lutsk

2015 – Ukrainian-Italian exhibition “Single Space”, Kyiv

2015 – International art project “New York – Tokyo”, Tokyo

2016 – International art project “Color in Motion”, New York Realism Gallery, first place and Gold medal in the category “Impressionism”, New York

2021 – International exhibition “Art Nest Paris”, Paris

Oleksandr Gukalov