Leo Ray
November 8, 2024 / December 7, 2024
Yesterday
On November 8th (Friday) at 5 p.m. the exhibition of Leo Ray's drawings "Yesterday" opens at the KADS Baroti Gallery.
"To take a pencil, paper, to rest your chin with your hand, to look out the window... To look for a long time, until your thoughts disappear and your hand begins to draw various lines, shapes, figures on the paper by itself. Where are those figures from? It is not clear: maybe from childhood moments, maybe from fragments of dreams, maybe from travels. The figures are simple and recognizable: a person, a cat, a house. Also - a tree, a dog, a bird. Their actions are also simple and usual: talking, walking. Reading with a cat by the side, walking the dog. Lying down and staring at the ceiling while the cat watches. Greetings, journey. Crowd, sadness, loneliness. Simple, everyday human actions and situations, depicted in laconic, clear lines and drawings. Children draw in a similar way: they intuitively show only the most important things and details in their drawings. Let's say the beak: the beak is very important to the bird, so it will be bigger. The color rarely appears, because ink provides perfect possibilities for expression. The rich line drawn with a black, firmly pressed brush is replaced by a thin, cracking, delicate line that barely touches the paper. Then they are both flooded with a wave of diluted, liquid ink: richer in places, and quite pale in others.
This is how Leo Ray draws. He does not pretend to be Art with a capital letter, promising to open secrets of life and give the viewer catharsis. He does not promise deep meanings or leave the viewer confused, disappointed that the meaning behind his art was not understood. Leo's drawings are understood by everyone, both children and even adults. His drawings are reminiscent of a visit to a very simple, cozy home, where you are invited to enjoy tea, where you can sit comfortably and be listened to.
I think that in today's world of conceptual art, which is very challenging and hard to understand, Leo Ray's work is simply a diary of an observer of life.
To be able to see very [visually] simple things and express them with spare words and lines. This creative ability comes from Leo's characteristic nature, which is introverted, taciturn, more observant than engaging. Seeing meaning in everyday life. Seeing the essence in the details. A humble attitude when creating. This is how Leo Ray draws." / Art critic Simona Skaisgirė /
The exhibition will be presented by dr. Tomas Kiauka.
Exhibition at the Baroti Gallery will be open until December 7.
The project is partially supported by Klaipėda City Municipality, UAB "Stemma group", UAB "Sakuona".
