Body Language

Denis Sarazhin’s figurative paintings explore expression and emotion through movement.

- ROCHELLE BELSITO

The human figure has been the centerpiece of Ukrainian artist Denis Sarazhin’s paintings for a number of years, but his exploration into the subject is always changing. His most recent output diverges from the traditional notions of the genre by honing in on the body rather than the face. In his compositions, the figure is in motion and moving off the canvas, so parts of the body are not in the scene. Many times, if the face is included it is obscured or in profile so not to become the focal point.

“This idea of concentrating on the figure more than the face comes from my impressions of contemporary dance and pantomime theater, where body language is the main method to express emotion and feelings,” says Sarazhin. “I find a lot of possibilities for painting compositions in depicting a human body—possibilities to express some kind of emotion through a figure’s movement makes this theme a great artistic tool.”

July 11 through 26, Sarazhin’s newest works in this theme will be on view in his second major exhibition at Pasadena, California-based Arcadia Contemporary, which exclusively represents the artist in the United States. Approximately two dozen paintings will be displayed, ranging from large-scale to more intimately sized pieces.