"A painting serves as both a dialogue between artist and viewer and as a mirror—it reflects the viewer, their emotions, and their state of mind. If a work fails to make you pause, recall what you once felt, what you once knew, or what mattered to you but has since been forgotten—move on... You will move forward regardless, though perhaps in a slightly altered way, along a different path..." With these thoughtful words, Reda Ščerb articulates her philosophical perspective on art, highlighting the importance of emotional connection and personal reflection in her creations.
Reda Ščerb prefers to describe her creations as acrylic drawings rather than conventional paintings. She finds particular inspiration in the lines of the human face and the contours of the body, aiming to capture a wide range of moods and emotional expressions. Her technique features a restrained use of color, enabling the true character of her subjects to reveal itself through nuanced hues and dynamic line work.
In recent years, Ščerb has been drawn to the visual properties of gold and silver textures, incorporating these elements to introduce a sense of nostalgia and sentimentality into her work. She does not use these metallics simply for decoration; instead, they serve as vessels of memory, conjuring vivid and meaningful moments from the past. This technique mirrors her tenderly introspective nature, as she strives to preserve fleeting yet intense flashes of feeling and recollection.
The artist has presented 13 solo exhibitions, displaying her art in Palanga, Klaipėda, and Vilnius, as well as in Latvia and Germany. Through these shows, Reda Ščerb has connected with viewers from various backgrounds, welcoming them into her distinctive visual conversation and the intimate worlds she renders on canvas.
About this artwork+
The painting depicts three seemingly juvenile figures, their expressions etched with a blend of curiosity and solemnity, set against a textured, mottled background that suggests both decay and age. On the left, a girl in a flowing dress pulls on the end of a taut rope, her gaze directed upwards in wonder or appeal towards the central figure, a serene-faced girl who holds the middle of the rope. This central figure, embodying a touch of the ethereal, slightly leans forward from the waist up, engaging with both the girl on the left and a boy on the far right. The boy, in a uniform that hints at vintage, his head covered with a wrap, also holds the rope, contributing to the visual line that connects the three figures. The rope, prominent in the scene, may symbolize connection or tension amongst the figures. The overall palette is subdued, dominated by earth tones that evoke a sense of the past.
