Concept of the “Lost” Painting Series
In the “Lost” painting series, we encounter a world that at first glance seems familiar and even cozy. But this world is deceptive. Each painting depicts an astronaut performing mundane activities: dining in a café, swimming in the sea, reading a book. These scenes are filled with warmth and light, but only until we start examining them more closely.
In the “Birthday Lunch” painting, the astronaut sits at a café table with a can of preserved soup in his hands, and a book titled “Stay Positive” in front of him. Outside the café window, a nuclear mushroom cloud rises, reminding us that the world beyond these walls is no longer the same.
In another painting, the astronaut floats in an inflatable ring, holding a can of cola. But this is not just relaxation - reflected in his helmet, we see heaps of trash floating in the water. The can of cola turns out to be just part of this trash that he has fished out of the water.
These paintings are not just images. They are a mirror of our future, a warning of what could happen if we do not take care of our planet. The astronaut in these paintings is the last witness of a bygone world, a symbol of loneliness and hope in one. He is not an astronaut in the traditional sense - he is simply a survivor for whom the spacesuit has become the only way to exist on Earth.
This series of paintings is designed to make the viewer laugh, and then think. It shows that even in the most tragic conditions, a person can maintain a sense of humor and optimism, but also reminds us that each of us bears responsibility for the future of our planet.
"Lost"
Diptych 120x73 cm
oil on canvas
Original landscape with an astronaut. The work is made in the style of classic multilayer painting.
Looking at the picture, you may initially think that the astronaut is on Mars, but upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that he is actually on Earth. He is wearing a spacesuit, but it's unclear why. Is it already impossible to breathe on Earth?
"Drifting"
oil on canvas 60x73 cm
Looking at the picture, you can see an astronaut wearing a spacesuit while floating in a life buoy. Upon closer inspection, you can also see a pile of debris reflected in his helmet. This raises concerns about the state of our planet and the impact of human activity. The main question that arises is: why are we allowing this to happen, and what can we do to prevent it? It's important that we take action to protect the environment and reduce the amount of waste we produce. This can involve recycling, reducing single-use plastics, supporting sustainable practices, and advocating for policy changes that prioritize the health of our planet.
"Consequences"
oil on canvas 60x73 cm
In the artwork, a lone cosmonaut stands on the edge of a once-vibrant shoreline, now transformed into a barren desert by the unforgiving heat. Clutching a surfboard, the astronaut gazes out at a sea that has vanished, leaving behind a stark reminder of environmental degradation. The surfboard bears a poignant sticker that reads 'I voted,' serving as a poignant reminder of our collective responsibility for the choices that have led to this future.This painting is part of a series that artfully captures the intersection of ecological crises and misguided political decisions.
"Birthday lunch"
oil on canvas 60x73 cm
The painting is very surreal and ironic, as it contrasts the normality of the cafe scene with the apocalyptic background. The cosmonaut seems to be unaware or indifferent to the disaster outside, and he tries to keep a positive attitude by reading a self-help book. The canned soup suggests that he is eating a simple and cheap meal, perhaps because of the scarcity of resources or the lack of appetite.
The painting could be interpreted as a satire on the human condition in the modern world, where people are isolated, alienated and indifferent to the problems around them. It could also be seen as a warning about the dangers of nuclear war and its consequences for humanity and the environment. The painting invites us to reflect on our values, priorities and choices in life.
"New Atlantis"
oil on canvas 60x73 cm
In this painting, we see an astronaut who had to dive under the water to take a selfie with the Statue of Liberty. This painting is one of the saddest and most ironic in the “The Last Astronaut” series. It shows that even the most famous and symbolic monuments of humanity did not withstand the elements and became part of the underwater world.
The Statue of Liberty is one of the most recognizable symbols of America and freedom in general. It was a gift from France to the USA in 1886 as a sign of friendship and respect. It represents a woman holding a torch in her hand, illuminating the way to freedom, and in the other hand - a tablet with the date of independence of the USA. The Statue of Liberty became a place where millions of immigrants arrived, seeking a new life in America. It became a symbol of hope and dream for many people.
But in this painting, we see that the Statue of Liberty no longer shines with a torch, but is buried under water. This means that the freedom that it symbolized is also lost. The world in which people lived no longer exists. Instead, we see a world where water covers most of the land, and life is impossible without a spacesuit. This world resembles the legendary Atlantis - an ancient and powerful civilization that, according to legend, sank under water because of its pride and recklessness.
The astronaut who takes a selfie with the Statue of Liberty looks like a tourist who visits an attraction. But this is not just entertainment - this is an attempt to preserve the memory of the past, of what was once great and important. This is also a way to express his attitude to what happened to the world. Maybe it’s sarcasm, maybe it’s sadness, maybe it’s nostalgia. Each viewer can interpret this gesture in their own way.
This painting makes us think about how we relate to our planet and to our freedom. It shows that we can lose what we take for granted, if we do not cherish and value it. It also shows that even in the most hopeless situations, a person can preserve his humanity and his sense of humor. It is both a warning and a praise of the human spirit.
"Memories"
oil on canvas 60x73 cm
This painting is a bitter irony on the fate of humanity, which destroyed its native planet. The astronaut paints on an easel what was once on Earth - green meadows, white clouds and living trees. He tries to preserve in his memory the beauty and life that he may never see again. He is lonely and hopeless, but still continues to create. The painting is his last protest against the indifference and cruelty of human civilisation.
"Last"
oil on canvas 120x100 cm
The painting “Last" concludes the series by portraying not just prolonged routine in a ruined world, but the protagonist's final realization of the hopelessness of his situation. Unlike previous works that carried elements of irony, this piece deliberately removes all humor, emphasizing the tragedy of a man on the brink of a dying world.
The astronaut, who once engaged in mundane, albeit strange, activities like dining, swimming, or reading, is now depicted in a moment of nostalgia and sorrow. Holding a photograph of his family, he no longer tries to adapt or maintain optimism. The image of his family symbolizes the life that has been lost — a reminder that humanity was not only destructive but also capable of love and care.
The New York skyline, shrouded in thick smog, no longer serves as a metaphor for technological progress or the grandeur of the metropolis. Now, it is a symbol of total separation from the past and a forewarning of final collapse. The city is no longer alive, just like the protagonist’s former hopes. There is no place for jokes or irony here — only the harsh truth of the present.
The *"I ♥ NY"* badge, which in earlier works might have been interpreted as a sarcastic comment, now evokes a deep sense of loss, amplifying the tragedy of the scene. The astronaut is no longer merely the "last witness" — he is a solitary survivor who has lost everything that once mattered. The artist’s signature on the spacesuit reinforces that this is a deeply personal story, mirroring the global catastrophe.
This final piece in the "Lost" series underscores not just the tragedy of one individual but of all humanity, serving as a reminder that our future could resemble this bleak reality if we continue to ignore the challenges facing us today.