№Lih 9

The oil painting "Conspiracy of Friends" is a deeply emotive portrayal inspired by a classic film revered by the artist. It captures the essence of friendship and the human spirit, set against the backdrop of a penitentiary environment. The scene is set in a prison yard where two inmates, one of whom is clearly inspired by the character Andy from the film the artist admires, are engaged in a game of checkers. The focal point is the two men, sharing a quiet moment of camaraderie and mental escape amidst their bleak surroundings. They sit on wooden benches, leaning over a makeshift board, lost in the strategy of the game and, perhaps, in thoughts of freedom. The man on the left, presumably Andy, is dressed in a light-colored shirt and dark trousers, his body language relaxed yet focused on his next move. His face is calm, reflecting a quiet resolve and intelligence. The character opposite him, with a cap and a white shirt draping over his shoulders, mirrors this focus, creating a visual dialogue between the two. Their engagement in the game is a metaphor for the strategic planning and hope that define their existence within the prison walls. In the background, other inmates are seen in groups, some in conversation and others simply walking, contributing to the sense of daily life continuing despite the oppressive setting. The artist uses a cool palette to paint the prison environment, with shades of blue and gray dominating, yet the overall tone of the scene is warm, illuminated by what appears to be the soft light of late afternoon. The artist reflects on their personal connection with the film, recalling how the story unfolded with increasing fascination upon first viewing. They share a sense of discovery, with each repeated watching revealing deeper layers of the narrative, underscoring themes of resilience, loyalty, and the search for inner freedom. This piece is more than a still from a beloved movie; it's a narrative about steadfastness against life's adversities. It represents the human capacity to maintain dignity and principles, even when shackled by literal or metaphorical constraints. The artist's intention to create a series of paintings based on the film begins with this moment, chosen for its representation of the timeless and universal bonds of friendship. The painting stands as a testament to the film's enduring impact and its message that hope and human connection can be found even in the darkest of places.

*** ABOUT THIS PAINTING ***
* TITLE: "Conspiracy of friends" - Scene from the film: The Shawshank Redemption
* ARTISTS: Yulia Lihina
* SIZE: 70x102 cm/'27.55x40.15 inches'
* MEDIUM: oil, canvas
* HAND PAINTED: Original painting from our collection
* CONDITION: we tried to convey the maximum information with the help of photos about this product
* We have a video of the process of this work - we will send it if necessary.

About the artist: Yulia Lihina, born on November 10, 1984 in Kharkov, Ukraine, was a very restless and stubborn child. At three years old, her mother showed her how to draw to calm her down. Julia attended art studio and art school from 1989 to 2002. This experience helped her understand how to live further, since she could not imagine her life without colors and art.

She graduated with honors from the Kharkov Art School (2002-2007), painting department, becoming an artist and teacher. During her studies, Julia painted many paintings to order, including stills from films, which was an interesting experience for her.

After graduating from school, she got married and soon became the mother of two children. After the divorce, she tried to return to painting, but her children did not allow her to do so. While working for a network company while on maternity leave, she saw how artists painted and sold their paintings, which inspired her to take up painting again. She quit her online business and started over with support from family and friends.

In 2019, Yulia began studying how artists work on the Internet. In 2020, she took a course on blogging and selling paintings abroad, starting to paint during the quarantine period. She considers the Internet the best direction for developing and promoting her creativity around the world.

On February 24, 2022, war began in her country. Initially, Yulia thought that everything would end quickly, but then she had to leave home, experiencing pain and depression. She quickly coped with it, started volunteering and received a grant to purchase art materials. This gave her the motivation to move forward and do something she had wanted to do since she was three years old.

Julia draws inspiration from films, loving the genres of biography, thriller, crime, detective, comedy, history, sports, drama and romance. She loves to convey the complex emotional states of actors on camera and finds cinema a special source of inspiration.

Her favorite artists are Levitan, Polenov, Serov, Repin and many others in this style. She specializes in drawing, painting and landscapes, working primarily in oil, charcoal and pastel. Julia primes the canvases herself, using the techniques of the old masters and imprimatura.

Framing option availabe at extra cost. Feel free to inquire.

Reserve: $6,000.00

Shipping:

Domestic: Flat-rate of $48.00 for regular shipping or $58.00 via UPS shipping to anywhere within the contiguous U.S.

International: Foreign shipping rates are determined by destination. International shipping may be subject to VAT.

Combined shipping: Please ask about combined shipping for multiple lots before bidding.

Location: This item ships from Ukraine.

Your purchase is protected:
Photos, descriptions, and estimates were prepared with the utmost care by a fully certified expert and appraiser. All items in this sale are guaranteed authentic.

In the rare event that the item did not conform to the lot description in the sale, Jasper52 specialists are here to help. Buyers may return the item for a full refund provided you notify Jasper52 within 5 days of receiving the item.