Alex KOSH

Alex Kosh has been painting since his early childhood in the Ukraine. His artistic talents were recognised early and he attended the foremost Ukrainian art school, the National Ukrainian Academy of Arts from 1978 - 1984 . Within the highly restricted State environment Kosh was recognised by the ‘Art Commissars’ and his work was soon in demand: he was offered monumental commissions in stained glass, murals, frescoes; and he held exhibitions both in the Ukraine and Russia.

Since moving to London in 1999, his work has developed a more optimistic approach. His focus is on more light, brighter colours and the the relationship between shapes and the spaces between them.

Kosh’s work is about the balance that is created by the subtle juxtaposition of oblique angles and rounded contours plus the importance of density of colour: ‘it’s about trying to understand the balance and how it works to create beauty.’

Alex turned 50 last November, the exhibition of work was to celebrate the development of his work and the marked changes that are appearing...

‘being able to show people the way you see the world and how your vision and understanding of it has developed... to help enhance a perception of life’. From the dark period of post communism in the Ukraine, Kosh has entered a new era of work, with a sense of humour, a lighter approach -there is no denying the continuing influence of Picasso, Matisse and the Cubists, his colours are restrained and carefully considered, his approach tends towards impressionism but it is his structure of the painting as a whole that creates the strong visual message.

Noel Oddy & Laurie MacLaren October 2006