Oil painting Eat fugu fish Oleg Kateryniuk

№Kat 55

The painting titled "Eat Fugu Fish" is a fascinating blend of surrealism and contemporary commentary. At first glance, the artwork portrays a young woman seated casually on a ledge, taking a selfie. She is dressed in loose green trousers and a white tank top, her modern aesthetic enhanced by her sunglasses and her hair tied in a sleek bun. The vibrant blue sky forms the background, accentuating the sense of openness and airiness.However, the surreal elements quickly become evident. Surrounding the woman are several fugu fish — also known as pufferfish — floating inexplicably in midair. The fugu fish, with their distinct rounded bodies and sharp spines, are depicted in stunning detail, their presence both intriguing and unsettling. Interspersed among them are translucent jellyfish, further enhancing the surreal atmosphere.The title, "Eat Fugu Fish", is a nod to the delicacy and danger associated with the fugu fish, which is infamous for its toxicity if not prepared correctly. This juxtaposition of beauty, danger, and modern culture forms the crux of the painting’s deeper meaning.Through this work, the artist seems to comment on society's obsession with appearances, technology, and the pursuit of thrilling experiences. The act of taking a selfie symbolizes the desire to capture and share curated moments of perfection, while the presence of the fugu fish hints at the underlying risks and complexities of such pursuits. The surreal setting — with fish and jellyfish defying gravity — emphasizes the disconnect between reality and the idealized worlds often portrayed on social media.The color palette, dominated by shades of blue and green, exudes a sense of calm, yet the viewer cannot ignore the tension created by the fugu fish’s symbolic danger. The stark simplicity of the composition — with the woman sitting on a blank ledge against an endless sky — further isolates her, suggesting the isolation that often accompanies our digital lives.Ultimately, "Eat Fugu Fish" invites viewers to reflect on the balance between beauty and peril, the real and the fabricated, and the ephemeral nature of modern pursuits. It is a striking commentary on the risks we take, knowingly or unknowingly, in our quest for validation and excitement in an increasingly surreal and connected world.

*** ABOUT THIS PAINTING ***
* TITLE: "Eat fugu fish"
* ARTISTS: Oleg Kateryniuk
* SIZE: 110x140 cm/'43.30x55.11 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 artist: Oleg Kateryniuk was born in 1969 in Ukraine.. has made a successful career as a graphic designer.. But, over the years we become more sensitive to people, to nature, to the environment, to everything around us. So something happened, noticed, interested you and sits in you, with its emotions, feelings, its truth and philosophy.. no-no, it does not bother you, just sometimes, as if talking to you, tells your story, pulls your strings souls, and are forced to flee in search of something new, still unnoticed, and very, as it seems at this time, so necessary.. and not only you.. And in such moments you take a pencil, brushes and everything at hand.. and you draw.. being left alone with canvas or paper and your thoughts..

Oleg Kateryniuk