In Strangers, Ukrainian artist Igor Lipskykh weaves together a profound exploration of identity, belonging, and the human condition. This debut U.S. exhibition reflects the fragmented nature of selfhood, shaped by his personal experience of displacement and emotional rupture during wartime. Living amidst the turmoil in Ukraine, Lipskykh’s perception of the world and his place within it has been profoundly reshaped, and this body of work captures the tension between internal and external realities, where the psychological landscape of conflict collides with the intimate, human experience of estrangement.

The figures in Strangers hover between familiarity and obscurity, occupying ambiguous spaces that evoke introspection and transformation. Suspended in the crosscurrents of past and present, they are strangers not only to us but also to themselves—mirroring the flux and fragmentation of identity that trauma and displacement bring. These portraits, while deeply personal, extend beyond the artist, offering reflections of the countless lives touched by upheaval and change. For Lipskykh, it is essential that his subjects transcend their inner worlds and establish an active connection with the viewer, creating moments of recognition and shared humanity.

Driven by a fascination with the human image, Lipskykh embraces experimentation, blending traditional oil painting with contemporary techniques like acrylic markers and spray paint. He deliberately simplifies form and flattens volume, favoring expressive mark-making to evoke immediacy and emotion without reliance on intricate detail. His deep interest in the radical use of color stems from its ability to evoke an immediate emotional response and shape the mood of a painting, without the reliance on intricate details. Abstracted backgrounds serve as metaphors for the fragmentation of a world at war, while defined figures convey resilience and hope.

Balancing realism with expressionism, Lipskykh’s evolving style incorporates decorative and abstract elements that push the boundaries of conventional representation. His works intentionally leave room for ambiguity, inviting viewers to interpret each piece through their own experiences and perceptions. This openness transforms the gallery into a space of active communication, where viewers are encouraged to reflect on both the art and the broader narratives it represents. Each face, every interaction within the work, carries its own story, inspiring closer observation of both the painting and the world around us.

Amid the destruction in his homeland, Lipskykh’s art has become a vital refuge—a way to process the devastation around him while preserving beauty and humanity. Through Strangers, he invites viewers to confront the intimate and unfamiliar, to question what it means to feel estranged—from oneself, from others, and from home. These portraits, neither wholly resolved nor entirely lost, occupy the in-between—much like the experience of living through, and hopefully beyond, war. In this way, Strangers becomes both a personal meditation and a universal call for connection and understanding, even in the face of profound uncertainty.