Gallery 5 continued to shine at First Fridays with
another impressive exhibition, this time with the gleaming,
intellectual creativity of Lucien Dulfan.
After setting foot in the gallery, visitors were immediately
greeted by celestial reflections from a series of
astronauts’ visors. Titled “The Helmets,” the eight circular
paintings represented headgear separating man from the
vast chasm that is the universe.
In the visors, one could see constellations, galactic
patterns and celestial beings from all different walks of
theology. Glimpses through the visor were also given; a
wide eye here, a mouth hanging open in astonishment
there, all helping to tie humanity to the universe of which
we have such limited knowledge.
Upon setting foot upstairs, visitors realized that the series
downstairs was but a taste of Dulfan’s capabilities.
In keeping with his circular theme, Dulfan’s enormous
round canvases were filled with delightful, sometimes
humorous images of space, human trial and sexuality.
In “Big Bang – Last Straw,” Dulfan addresses issues of
cloning, religion and the environment.
“The circle, the solar sign, feminine in its goodness,
streamlined, in opposition of the sharp shape of the square
is the shape in which I choose for my artistic expression,”
Dulfan stated in the exhibit’s program.
The circle also signifies the universe in macrocosm. In
trying to convey an entire universe in each piece, only a
perspective from within the painting gazing outward can
capture the vastness of the universe, Dulfan stated.
Almost entirely straw-colored to signify the color of
life, Dulfan also illustrated examples of maternity and
creation in a few of his works.
Hailing from Ukraine, Dulfan has been creating art since
he was a boy. Today he is active in spreading the message
of environmental and technological responsibility.
“Paradise, the freedom in falling, and the future sending
messages to the present are the subjects of my search by
the means of paint,” Dulfan stated.
“Big Bang – Last Straw” runs until Dec. 21 at Gallery
5. Call (804) 644-0005 for more information or visit
Gallery5arts.org.