Steppe

The inspiration for creating "Steppe" came from my childhood memories. This painting is one of the vivid images in my mind. I look at this horse and feel like an eight-year-old child standing next to my father, who brought me to the pasture to ride horses. Three years later, this pasture, pond, and cliffs were buried under yet another coal spoil heap.

The horse in the painting is depicted in close-up; it serves as a guide, a thread that unravels the ball of memories about the former beauty of these places. It embodies the steppe, its freedom and independence, reflecting the spirit of the Don region, its traditions, and culture.

Behind the horse stretches the endless expanse of the Don steppe. The steppe is home to many animals and plants, symbolizing endless possibilities and the richness of nature. "Steppe" is not just an image of a horse; it is a profound metaphor for the unity of man and nature, reflecting the grandeur and beauty of the Don region. At the same time, it serves as a reminder of the destructive activities of humans: behind it lies a non-existent steppe, a void.