Anton Varga

#39, from the series M.A.L.E.H. (Messages About the Landscapes of the End of History), 2019-2020.

Oil and acrylic spray paint on canvas, 42 x 48 in (107 x 122 cm).

About Anton Varga

Anton Varga (b.1989, Uzhorod) is a multi-hyphenate Ukrainian artist and co-founder of Ukrainian artist collective Open Group. While he works as a curator and across artistic disciplines, his project Messages About the Landscapes of the End of History (M.A.L.E.H.) (2019-2020) features striking paintings and drawings rooted in the iconographies of socialist realism and his own approach to abstract expressionism. As pre-invasion works exploring apocalyptic landscapes and his perceived “end of history,” these pieces have adopted an additional level of gravity since the onset of the full-scale invasion.

Characterized by warm colors and bold lines, many pieces from the project depict rigidfigures typical of 20th century socialist art, overlayed with abstract motifs popularized on the other side of the wall. With heavy usage of oranges and reds, much of the project evokes notions of rays of light cast over different subjects. Beautifully composed, the drawn out linework and unorthodox subjects implore the viewer to think twice about conceptions of socialist imagery and artwork. Varga’s pieces explore not only the perceived “end of history” but a step toward the future, with some pieces presented on the floor or draped over the edges of tables. Varga not only blends unique styles and themes but encourages the viewer to rethink presentation and engagement with works in a holistic, compelling manner. 

Sonya: A Sunflower Project features #4 and #10, two works on paper from M.A.L.E.H. (2019-2020), along with #39, a striking painting depicting an uncontrollable blaze penetrated by ash-blurred rays of sunlight. Featuring the dominant red color palette of the project, the imposing subject of the flame brings to life notions of apocalyptic scenes and catastrophe that lay outside of human control. The grim reality of life in Ukraine brings new meaning and perspective to the work - the horrific impacts of war and the destruction of homes and communities lending it perhaps even more weight today than it carried at its creation.

#10, from the series M.A.L.E.H. (Messages About the Landscapes of the End of History), 2019-2020. Oil and acrylic spray paint on canvas. 42 x 45 in (107 x 114 cm).

#10, from the series M.A.L.E.H. (Messages About the Landscapes of the End of History), 2019-2020. Oil and acrylic spray paint on canvas. 42 x 45 in (107 x 114 cm).

#4, from the series M.A.L.E.H. (Messages About the Landscapes of the End of History), 2019-2020. Oil and acrylic spray paint on canvas. 42 x 45 in (107 x 114 cm).

#4, from the series M.A.L.E.H. (Messages About the Landscapes of the End of History), 2019-2020. Oil and acrylic spray paint on canvas. 42 x 45 in (107 x 114 cm).

#39, from the series M.A.L.E.H. (Messages About the Landscapes of the End of History), 2019-2020. Oil and acrylic spray paint on canvas. 42 x 48 in (107 x 122 cm).

#39, from the series M.A.L.E.H. (Messages About the Landscapes of the End of History), 2019-2020. Oil and acrylic spray paint on canvas. 42 x 48 in (107 x 122 cm).