Page 18 - Leon Oks : Dreamscape
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Masters of today
The voluptuous, swaying images of women times, the artist creates evocative landscapes
in the artist’s paintings are deliberately of the mind that exist in realm between
anonymous. His intention is to identify and abstract expressionism and surrealism.
capture on the canvas the universal erotic In his formative years, as a young artist in
energy of all women, more than to portray a Russia, Leon Oks worked for the State, like all
certain woman. There is great power in this did. He was unable to fully evolve or exhibit
inherent female energy, and the artist feels many of his paintings until he and his family
that power in Nature as well. immigrated to the United States in 1980.
Oks recognizes the similar energy in both His work became more open and emotional,
women and nature, and he increasingly unites because he was finally able to release his
the pair in his work. In “Love of Nature” feelings without any consequences. To finally
(2003), “Friends” (2002), “Irises” (2004), have the opportunity to focus on drawing
“Rhapsody” (2002), “Orchids” (2002), and painting nude figures in an environment
“Spring Break”, female faces are seen of artistic freedom was an overwhelming
atop abstract, plant-like torsos and ‘legs.’ experience for him.
The ‘plant women’ are shooting skyward In his adoptive country, he was finally free to
like growing trees in a tribute to the more explore all aspects of his artistic expression
enigmatic aspects of the feminine spirit. The and exhibit those works around the world.
stylized forms of the female figure speak Even as his art evolved to focus more on
about relationships and solitary emotions semi-abstract work, the artist continued
while exploring the reality in life. At other to paint landscapes also. Among his many
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