10 Questions with SERGEY PISKUNOV

A burst of emotion forces the artist to turn inside out his soul and leave it on the canvas – that's how the Ukrainian artist Sergey Piskunov (1989, Ukraine) sees the work of his life. Hyper-realistic paintings possess their charm and character, children of unique inspiration – they like no other reflect the inner state of their creator, the depth of his personality, exposing him to the outside world. Today, Sergey's works testify his talent not only in Ukraine but also in Germany, Great Britain, the USA, Switzerland, and many other countries. Sergey was born on 9th April 1989, in Ukraine. It's not for nothing that childhood is considered almost the most critical stage of human life. While a person learns to understand himself, there is the emergence of his personality and the manifestation of individuality. It was drawing to be the passion of Sergey's childhood. In school, he used to draw on everything that could be used for this purpose: in the fields of notebooks, on the desk, etc. The next stage in the life of Sergey led him away from the creative path.

In 2007, he entered the Ukrainian Academy of Customs and finished it in 2012, receiving a computer system engineer diploma, after what he started working as an IT engineer. But our life mission prescribed by fate isn't able to leave a person under any circumstances. It isn't accidental that during the 3rd year of study, a person very close to Sergey introduced him to brushes and oil paints. It was this gift that awakened the dormant need to manifest himself through drawing.

In the beginning, oneself search was full of inspiration that Sergey took from the works of masters of impressionism and surrealism. That's why in the first paintings are so noticeable the notes of these styles. As a result, Sergey fully revealed himself in hyperrealism. This style helps him to be competitive with himself and approve creative skills all the time. Hyperrealism is the style in which there is not much space to be original, making it possible to create unique not only every artist but also every painting. The works live their own lives, misleading people and forcing them to believe in the illusion of photography so that later allow them to unravel every brushstroke, carried out by the artist on the canvas. Sergey Piskunov is the embodiment of a free artist, independent of market trends, whose true compass and guide is the perception of the world through the prism of his inspiration and talent.

piskunovsergey.com | @piskunovart

What kind of education or training helped you develop your skillset?

I do not have an art education, and unfortunately, when I started drawing, there weren't as many different online lessons or courses as at the moment. I was quite possibly not particularly successful in looking for them, but all my training came down to constant drawing and attempted to correct my mistakes

What experience of your life would you say that is reflected in your works of art?

My art is not a reflection of my life, and it is not quite right to associate it with me because creating paintings I abstract from all external experiences. The creation of paintings is an entirely separate part of my life.

What do you see as the strengths of your pieces, visually or conceptually?

 The visual component is the main part of photorealism, and it is important for every painting. With my paintings, I want to show details on which people won't pay attention in real life. 

Could you tell our readers about your inspiration for the Mouse series of hyperrealist paintings?

I must say that this happened almost by accident in preparation for the previous series with balloons, I had quite a lot of multi-colored tape, and I don't remember the initial idea. Still, it so happened that I wrapped a mickey mouse in red tape for its preparation, and I liked the look so much that I decided to make a whole series of it.

What is your hyperrealism process like?

Idea, Photoshoot, and after 100-200 hours of work-painting

What artists inspire you to become a hyperrealist painter?

It's already difficult to remember how this happened, but I was inspired by photorealism as a whole, so I think that each artist influenced my choice of this direction to a certain extent.

What obstacles do you face in making and exhibiting your work?

I don't think that I face obstacles. There are certain difficulties at each stage from planning a shoot to sending a picture to a collector or the gallery, but this is nothing more than working moments that I think every artist has to deal with.

Any shows, galleries, or publications where our readers can find your work?

All works can be seen on my website or in social networks; live works are presented in the PlusOne Gallery in London.

Do you have other interests outside of art?

To be honest, I do not have time for other interests. Painting takes all my free time, and all that I can afford sometimes is to switch from photorealism to expressionism, abstraction, or make Plein air.

Share something you would like the world to know about you?

I used to work as an IT engineer and customs officer. My art journey began with a gift of brushes and canvas seven years ago.