George Safronov : life before and after the conquest of France
Georgii Safronov: Life before and after conquering France
It is nice small public garten in front of the seminar of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, you hear midday ringing of bells and the sound of the voices. Students of Journalism Institute, who learn polish, do have a meeting with a polish painter from Moscow, his name is Georgii Safronov. He is an old friend of Mariia Kalamazh, university teacher of Polish language. Georgii is coming back to Poland from Crimea seaside, where he used to work for some time. He is staying only for a day in Kyiv and decided to spend this time with students and organized an improvised master-class from artistic photography and is going to talk about painting, in which he is more than successful. The last autumn Georgii Safronov took the first place on the prestigious exhibition in Paris.
As to your achievements, do you call yourself “successful person”?
No, I believe, that I am an honest worker and a soldier of art. I know that to win a competition in France is not just occasionally, but it is very pleasant, that there are people, who like what I do. I was never too proud of myself. I know, that everything is fast running, like waves: they sail up to the shore very quickly, touch your feet and sail away, and your feet are on the same place. I am very interested in emotions, which I can express through my brushes, linen and colors. There is no sense to paint a building first and then show what has surprised you in that. The most terrifying feeling for art is apathy. This negative reaction is still a reaction and when a viewer says, “oh, what a nice frame”, that means he does not like it.
What are you working at the moment?
I was asked on the contest in Le Mans, to show my works on the Paris autumn art show, which was founded back in 1903. A lot of impressionist and postimpressionist artists showed their paintings there, moreover, it is known, that it is very prestigious to exhibit your works there. All the time I have been working on one picture, which has been already sent to Paris and on 12th of October I go there too. The exhibition is going to take place from 14th till 16th October. More than 10 000 artists have sent application forms to participate in exhibition, but only 600 will take part in the show.
Apart from that, the exhibition of works of Polish artists is going to take place in Brussels in December. There are 100 artists invited and I am among them. This is a very important event for me, so I still have to work on my paintings. My artistic life is happening within plenary sessions, between studios and exhibitions. It all together gives me a possibility to meet new artists. In May in Sumy I have meet very talented guys from Kharkiv. I had an idea that they should be famous in Poland, so I found some sponsors for them who promised to organize an exhibition of their paintings. Life of an artist is not only painting, but it is help for young people as well, it has some problems, which you should solve by yourself. We do not have any art-dealers, as on the West, who meet perspective artists, publicize their works and help as to some legal advices. We should do everything by ourselves, so we have not that much time for work with linen, pencil and brush left. But I do not complain as to my life style, I try to do something important for me and when the viewers will understand my paintings, I will be happy
How did you open your creative horizons?
On my drawing lesson in one of Moscow schools, the teacher complimented me, that I had a talent. When I was 14-15 years old I understood, that I should become an artist. They have a lot of work actually: one can be a footwear designer, the other can design decorative things. I felt, that illustration is my thing and I decided to study at Moscow State University of printing arts. I liked to make illustrations for child’s books, but unfortunately after my graduating from university it became harder to earn money while making these illustrations. After university I have been working for 1.5 years for a publishing house “Fine arts”. In some time I have connected my life with paintings. In Moscow I have met my future wife, she is from Poland. After the birth of my daughter Beata we have moved to Poland. In such a way I have moved to Katowice and live there till now. To tell the truth, I do not want to come back to Russia.
Among your last works there are a lot of photos. Why don’t you paint anymore?
Photographing is so to say, an occasional shine in me. I liked photos during the time of studies at the university and paintings were always like a desire for me. Somehow I had a serious disease and could not sit, write and paint at all. Doctors advised me to go to parks and try to take the pictures. Photography and painting are totally different things, but after two years of taking photos, I have gathered so many pictures, that I made an exhibition. Nowadays I wake up very often at 4-5 a.m and go to take photos in mist. My disease has an influence on functioning of my arm. I had to make me working, painting, so my arm would not give up in doing that things. During this summer in Crimea I have always tried to write something constantly. As soon as I was doing better, photography became an addition to painting, so I carry my camera always with me.
You take a lot of photos of children. Do you always ask parent’s permission as to taking the pictures?
Last year, I have created a photo-calendar for residents of miner region of Katowice and made a lot of photos with children. I have asked parents and grandparents with a special paper permit, if they had no complains and took the photos after all. I remember once in England I have accidentally made a photo of a child in museum and the mother came to me immediately and asked to delete the picture. After that I have learned to make some tricks, like to hang up my camera on the shoulder and unnoticeably take photos. I understood that somehow it is not good, but for me, as an artist, the result is the most important.
How significant is inspiration for an artist?
To my mind, you should work every day. My teacher have told me, that 2-3 hours a day you should write, does not matter if you have an inspiration or not, because otherwise you will lose the contact with brush, colors and linen. I had a conscious inspiration only once. One evening some guests came to visit the owners of the house, where I used to live. I did not want to bother them, so I painted 67 drawings that day. I have painted some of the drawings with watercolors and got perfect pieces of art for my exhibition, which is called “A rowanberry bush”. My works symbolized episodes from childhood, which stayed in the memory like bitter rowan berries.
Do you ask your wife as for advice about your works?
No. An artist should be independent, that is why when I do something, I stick to my own style. Of course, I take view of my wife and close friends into account, as well as I hear all remarks and wishes and can agree, but they are not aware of all my ideas. One of impressionists told, that the artist outruns his time for 50 years. When Picasso lived, nobody understood him and his paintings. His paintings inspire me, but I do not understand his cubism. Personally I try not to make the orders for paintings, because it makes me dependent from the customer and limits my imagination.
You travel a lot. What is the difference between perceiving of your paintings in Poland and abroad?
It is rather tendencies, but not perception of the works. Graphics is more valued in Germany. In Luxembourg and France they like paintings. I have been traveled within a lot of places from Canada to Japan, but I can’t say a clear conclusion, because when I do not speak all those languages, I have no idea what people think about me.
Do you plan to hold some exhibitions in Russia or Ukraine?
It is strange, because I am well known, but nobody proposed me to organize an exhibition in any of two countries. And I do not want to do it alone, because it is hard work.
Most of your works are sold. Is it a pity to give them to somebody else?
Of course, it is so, because they are “my children”. A lot of painters are the same opinion. I am in friendly relationship with all those people, who buy my paintings. It is important for me to know, that the paintings are not only sold, but that they are in good hands and these intelligent people will appreciate my spirituality. Unfortunately, a lot of paintings have been destroyed in Katowice for ten years because of the fire in my art gallery. All the photos, drawings and water color paintings were destroyed with fire. Despite of all unpleasant situations, I will continue my work. It is my bread and my life
What would you do, if you had an opportunity to change your life?
I would continue painting, but in the same time I would try to be more courageous person. I understood, that it is not worth to get married, if you are a painter, because they should be free like birds. It is very hard to combine good relationship in your family and nice paintings.
Wrote Olena Ushanova,,
2nd year student of Journalism Institute
Photos by Sofiia Naidych.,
2nd year student of Journalism Institute
