10 Questions with Oleg Tsyba

Featured BACK COVER artist - THE ORIGINAl10

Oleg Tsyba is a Russian artist. His main profession is a Doctor, but he has always felt that he is an Artist. He started creating his artworks four years ago, and since then, painting has become his main passion. 
His career is only in its early stage, but three of his works have already been purchased by a Contemporary Art Foundation in Spain for their permanent collection

www.olegtsyba.com | @oleg.tsyba.art

ARTIST STATEMENT

In his artworks, Oleg explores the form in its primary manifestation. Most often, the subject of his work is ancient mythology. 

These themes are always relevant to Humanity - they tell us about love, sex, passion, and death. And they inspire Oleg to create.

INTERVIEW

First of all, introduce yourself to our readers. Who are you, and what do you do? 

My name is Oleg Tsyba. I am an artist but also the chief doctor of a dental clinic. That's why I have only nighttime and weekends for creating my artwork. 

Tell us a bit about your background. You are a doctor but also work as an artist. What inspired you to follow this path? And how did you get interested in art?

I was born in a small Eastern town, and my first textbook for creating art was the Soviet manual "How to Paint Comics In Marvel Style". I used to do exercises from this magazine, and I studied plastic anatomy and the basics of composition. In the final grades of school, I got carried away with graffiti. Then there were long studies in medical academy and a semi-professional basketball career. I hadn't been making art all this time because I thought I had nothing to say to the World. But in 2018, I suddenly realized that I had something to say.

What are your main goals when it comes to your art? 

I search for the simplest form to capture the time we live. Also, I would like to make it without using the political context. Instead, I would call the current stage of our society's development - "Soft Caligula".

You work with paintings and often refer to ancient mythology. What does it represent for you? And how do you incorporate it into your work?

Yes, that's true. Ancient writings and myths are an infinite source of ideas for me. There are not so many things that are inherent to all people at all times and which are the essence of humanity as a species. And all these things were described several thousand years ago, and certainly, I'm interested in providing my own interpretation.

In your works, you reference important contemporary masters, such as David Hockney, but we can also clearly see references to key movements of the XX century. Where do you get your inspiration from? 

Of course, David Hockney's work influenced me a lot. I love his composition and his colors. However, I'm also inspired by the works of Fernand Léger, Piet Mondrian, Richard Diebenkorn. I also consider Rubens the best artist of all time, and my Venus with a mirror is a tribute to this great master.

You seem to have a particular color palette and recurring themes and composition preferences. What is your creative process like? Can you walk us through the realization of one of your works from start to finish?

My color palette is based on the middle of the last century American cartoons, and I built the composition from my understanding based on Kandinsky and Malevich's theories. Sometimes the picture comes to me in its entirety, and I just have to recreate it on canvas. But more often, the idea of the picture appears first, and then I start building the composition based on my concept and color rhythm.

For example, the colors in «Venus with a Mirror» are completely quoted from one of the scenes from the «Popeye the Sailor» cartoon and the plot of the work, as I said earlier, I got from the GOAT Rubens.

Is there anything else you would like to experiment with? 

Oh yes, someday I would really like to try sculpture. In this art direction, I can embody so many ideas.

The recent pandemic has affected everyone, but as a doctor yourself, it probably had a significant impact on your life. How did you keep making art over the past two years? Did the pandemic help you create, as a positive outlet, or was it a setback for your art? 

In general, the pandemic time had even helped me because during the lockdown, I got a little more time for my art. And fortunately, we still have the opportunity to communicate via the Internet. Thanks to this, I also got into your wonderful magazine.

And what is one new thing that, over the past year, you have discovered? Did you embrace any new hobby or try anything new? 

Last year, I discovered two new countries, the UAE and the Maldives. I was very impressed and inspired. I also started learning English. 

Lastly, what are your plans for 2022? Any new exciting project or exhibition?

My plan is quite simple - to continue making my art, hoping that the pandemic will end up soon and life will return to normal again. I hope to find a way to show my art to the World as soon as borders are opened because now it's really hard to plan anything.