Kateryna Lysovenko

In her artwork I Am Impossible Without You, Kateryna Lysovenko researches the manipulative potential of the notion of heroism and the cult around it. In the tricuspid altarpiece, she depicts three mythological characters, namely the Gorgon Medusa, Minotaur and a centaur. In Ancient Greek mythology plots, all of these are hostile figures abused by a hero-protagonist. Despite that, in Lysovenko’s work, the creatures that usually personify evil are presented as main lyrical heroes: here, they are fighting to protect their loved ones. This unusual perspective on familiar myths unleashes the existence of feelings and motivations behind the actions of the beasts.

In times of war, everyone finds their own sense and motivation for the battle; everyone finds their own heroes and fights for their own type of utopia. The artist places a chair in front of the altarpiece and writes on its seat, “A place for a hero is always free and empty”, giving the audience a space to reflect on their own perception of a hero.