Moving away from real world and nearing surreal, the art of Andrey Dudchenko shows us how a blend of reality and dreams can transform into marvelous compositions. This young artist is undoubtedly influenced by the metaphysical painting tradition, although his painting shows a subtle understanding of alienation in the contemporary world. The reduced and unusual settings of his painting are used to create strong atmospheric scenes. Even when he leaves Surrealism, and engages into a conventional genre such as landscape, an atmosphere of alienation remains untouched in his work and it depicts sculptural, static and almost monumental approach to the painting which led his work to classical ideals of art and beauty.

The strongest common feature of these artists is an atmosphere of clarity and tranquility. Under the best tradition of the Crimean school of Academic Art, they put a great deal of effort into capturing the effects of the bright southern light, often focusing on subjects from their local surroundings which take fresh, soft and delicate tones under the sun of Black Sea. By carefully directing a single light source, they fill a potentially static scene with inner suspense. The Crimean Riviera will be the subject of a special segment of the display, where both artists will showcase a collection of works inspired by the same scenery, each one offering their own unique perspective of the same scene. By comparing their points of view side by side the viewer will be able to better understand what connects these artists, and what brings them apart.

For the first time in the Middle East, the exhibition of Andrey Dudchenko and Katerina Spirtus will be open to the public for duration of six weeks. Another rare experience will be offered to art lovers and artists of Abu Dhabi: a six-day master class under the guidance of Katerina Spirtus,

discovering the complex and fascinated world of portrait painting. The master class will run from 26th of November until 1st of December, morning and evening classes are available.