words by Brittany Kessler
Andrei Protsouk is most comfortable creating on the hard wood floors of his Art Gallery at 7 North Sixth Street in Stroudburg. Protsouk has always prefered to work on the floor, simply because, “it is more comfortable that way," he explained. Born in Donetsk, Ukraine, Protsouk has always dreamt of owning his own studio and gallery. In 1994, after a move to the United States, his dream was suddenly within the realm of possibility. “The United States really is the greatest country in the world," Protsouk said, “too often the opportunities that it provides are taken for granted.”
Protsouk’s gallery consists of an array of thematic collections that transmute food, drink, men, women and ultimately the entire universe into comic, petulant and always symbolic representations. Collections such as, “Serious," “Breathtaking," “Tango," and one of his most popular, “Romantique," capture these elements with perfection. The “Romantique” collection focuses on the era of the twenties. This serious yet intimate compilation symbolizes the liveliness and elegance of those eternal times, original paintings such as “Fever” and “L’Amour Sous Umbrelle” tell a story all their own without stating one word. A dog is never just a dog in one of Protsouk’s paintings. It may symbolize a hunger and lust for something illusive beneath the surface of human conciousness. The integral themes within Protsouk’s art and his ability to transform ordinary objects into something beyond what the naked eye can visualize are truly amazing.
Art became the center of Protsouk’s world at age seven when he began taking art classes in the Ukraine. His talents were immediately recognized as he advanced through the various courses without any routine testing. “While all of the other children were playing hockey, I was going to art school three times a week," Protsouk explained. He earned his PhD in Art at Saint Petersburg University, the cultural center of the “New Russia," as named by Peter the Great. Throughout his many years of studying art, he restored and copied the working techniques of the Old Maters at the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg. Protsouk revealed that he does most of his sketching at home and the majority of his oil painting- his favored medium- in his gallery. Protsouk has displayed his art in many exhibitions around the world including locations such as Germany, Holland, Russia, Ukraine and America. The upcoming debut of his “Paradox” collection will be at the New York City Art Expo in March 2009. “It is very satisfying for me, for any artist, to bring a new image or look into the world of art and publishing," said Protsouk. “Everything in the universe is unique. My job is to illuminate that.”
For more information on Andrei Protsouk visit his Website at www.andreiart.com, or stop by Andrei’s Gallery to check out some of his fascinating work for yourself.
