Dissonant Silence: The Terminus of Absence. Natalia Romanchenko
23rd December 2023 – 21st January 2024
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Atticus Arts Gallery proudly presents Dissonant Silence: The Terminus of Absence, a compelling exhibition by the internationally acclaimed artist Natalia Romanchenko. Known for her mastery of oil on canvas, Romanchenko transforms themes of decay and absence into evocative meditations on impermanence, memory, and ecological fragility. Inspired by the Flemish vanitas tradition, her works reimagine mortality for the Anthropocene, blending classical techniques with contemporary relevance.
Romanchenko’s poignant depictions of animal carcass mounds act as haunting monuments, symbolic of the cycles of life and death. Her layered textures, muted tones, and meticulous attention to detail bring decay to life with a startling immediacy, challenging viewers to confront the beauty and transience of existence.
The exhibition is accompanied by an immersive soundscape featuring compositions by Jonny Greenwood. Carefully curated pieces such as Water and Prospector’s Quartet weave Baroque-inspired melodies with experimental textures, amplifying the tension and emotional resonance of Romanchenko’s works. This atmospheric interplay between sound, light, and texture invites visitors to experience absence as a tangible presence.
An Immersive Journey
The exhibition is carefully designed to engage visitors on multiple sensory levels:
Lighting and Space: Subtle shifts in light mirror the ebb and flow of life, while reflective surfaces such as mirrored panels amplify the cyclical themes of decay and renewal.
Philosophical Anchors: The exhibition interrogates pressing questions of memory, mortality, and the environment, offering visitors a space for deep reflection.
Vanitas in the Anthropocene: How does the concept of mortality evolve in the context of ecological collapse?
The Weight of Memory: What does it mean to remember the anonymous and the forgotten?
Beauty in the Unseen: How can beauty be found in decay and spaces we often choose to ignore?
A Commitment to Healing
Shaped by the immediacy of the Ukrainian experience, Dissonant Silence reflects the fragility of life in times of war. While its themes are universal, the exhibition resonates deeply with the collective grief and displacement caused by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. In a gesture of solidarity, all donations from the exhibition will support humanitarian relief efforts.
Press Enquiries
For interviews, high-resolution images, or additional details, please contact:
✉️ Email: info@atticusgallery.co.uk
Dissonant Silence: The Terminus of Absence transforms absence into a poignant presence, leaving visitors with an indelible impression of the fragility and beauty of existence. Do not miss this extraordinary convergence of art, sound, and philosophy at the Atticus Arts Gallery.
Visitor Information
Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday | 10:00 – 18:00
Location: Atticus Gallery, 11a Queen Street, Bath
Admission: Free
