The Book of Changes by Georgii Uvs
The Book of Changes by Artist Georgii Uvs
Curated by Ellen Nash
EXTENDED
January 15 – April 15, 2025
International Art Museum of America
We are thrilled to announce that, due to the overwhelming interest from visitors, the museum has decided to extend the exhibition “THE BOOK OF CHANGES” for an additional three months, until mid-April 2025!
“The Book of Changes,” an exhibition showcasing new artworks by abstract artist Georgii Uvs at the International Art Museum of America in San Francisco.
The “Book of Changes” series was conceived during the tumultuous period of 2020-2022, a time of significant global transformation that affected every culture and nation, regardless of race, belief, or political stance. Through his introspective approach to painting, Georgii encapsulates the deep emotional and spiritual core of contemporary existence. His intention is to illustrate the psychological landscape that resonates universally.
The theme of transformation is particularly relevant today, as we witness profound changes in the paths of numerous civilizations. In his monochromatic series, “Book of Changes,” Uvs serves as a chronicler of his era, immortalizing this concept. The series draws inspiration from the ancient philosophical work “Book of Changes,” believed to date back to around 700 BC. This text, revered as one of the oldest and most respected systems of divination worldwide, has retained its significance through the ages, valued by scholars for its deep wisdom and practical insights.
The timeless appeal of the black-and-white palette has fascinated artists from prehistoric times to the present. By working in this monochromatic space, Uvs removes the distractions of color, allowing him to concentrate solely on abstraction — its energy and essence. In both art photography and painting, Monochromatic works act as potent conduits for emotion and expression. By eliminating color and focusing solely on black and white, Uvs heightens emotional intensity and directs the viewer’s attention to the heart of abstraction.
Confucius once stated, “If I could extend my life, I would dedicate fifty years to studying the Book of Changes. Then, I would make fewer mistakes.” Indeed, the Chinese Book of Changes provides profound insights into the complexities of life, encouraging a wise and philosophical view. It transcends mere divination, serving as a repository of ancient Eastern wisdom expressed through philosophical maxims. Georgii Uvs’s “Book of Changes” stands as a visual homage to these reflections, offering deep insights through the medium of painting and abstraction. Engaging with these artworks can guide viewers toward a path of wisdom, much like reading a book.
Confucius’s cautionary statement, “May you never live in an era of change,” resonates strongly. Yet, according to the Book of Changes, change is the only constant in human existence and nature. To navigate these transitions with grace and wisdom, one can find comfort in the timeless wisdom of the ancients.
Biography
GEORGII UVS
Georgii Uvs, in his artistic practice, grapples with fundamental questions about the origins of life, the planet, humanity, and the essence of being itself — the metaphysics of existence.
Born in 1954, Georgii Uvs began his artistic journey at the age of 17. After earning a degree in Geology, he pursued a second degree in Graphic Arts.
Employing a distinctive ‘live’ painting technique, Uvs pours paint onto unstretched canvases laid horizontally on the studio floor. He manipulates various densities of paint and pigments without ever touching the surface of the canvas. His abstract creations are the result of masterful techniques honed over four decades, with each piece taking 3-4 years to dry. Both timeless and unique, Uvs’s works possess a life of their own, rendering them impossible to replicate.
Uvs explains his use of ultraviolet pigments that create a captivating depth effect when exposed to UV light. Consequently, his artworks reveal dual aspects. Much like nature’s cycles of sunset and sunrise, day and night, elements hidden under ordinary lighting come alive under UV illumination, protecting the viewer while simultaneously inviting deeper engagement.
Uvs’s art embodies a philosophical experience.
ELLEN NASH
Ellen Nash, an esteemed International Art Curator, Producer, and Consultant, brings extensive experience to her projects. With a global perspective, she approaches each endeavor as a profound reflection of reality through the lenses of art history and diverse cultures. Born in Armenia and raised in Russia, she studied at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), earning a Master’s Degree in Art History and currently pursuing a PhD in the field.
Nash has curated art projects across Italy, Switzerland, the UK, Qatar, the UAE, Russia, South Korea, and Armenia. She is a member of the Creative Union of Artists of Armenia and Russia. Recognized for her talent, she received the “Best Emerging Art Curator” award at the Magzoid Art Icons Award 2023 (UAE) and was named Best Art Curator at the Qatar International Art Festival 2023 in Doha.