By TANYA VIVIDLY
Artist Vladimir Topal is known for his wide-ranging works of inanimate or natural objects.
Exploring the sights and sounds of socialist Moldova with a stroke of a paint brush on canvas,
I observed the artist shaping of rural traditions and influences with mysticism.
Moldovan artist Vladimir Topal has quite a body of wide-ranging work called ‘Susak,’ now on display at the Lakeshore Village Artists Co-op, at 115 Birmingham Street, in New Toronto.
Topal 56, was born in Kazayak, a small town in the autonomous region of Gagauz Eri, Republic of Moldova, and his works display much of inanimate or natural objects.
Topal’s work called Michael Chakir inspired from the mystical folklore of Gagauz, in his homeland.
His art explores the subtle beauty of brush techniques that are rich in textures, warm shapes and in-depth imagery. The artist’s admiration for his culture and wanting to share it with other communities is enlightening.
“I believe that the major challenge of any artist, in the wake of the twenty first century, is to insert themselves in the brutal market economy, without losing cultural identity and artistic spirit,” Topal said on his website.
A beautiful Topal piece of a bouquet of flowers, one of many in his catalogue.
His work includes beautiful portraits, still life, landscape, drawings and mystical folklore from Gagauz, where he grew up studying from other artists in the region. His art captures the spirit and the feeling of what many think rural Moldova should have looked like.
An art lover outside the gallery described his show as “within its consequence it succeeds in its independence.”
Topal had his first one man show in 1995 at the Taksim Art Gallery of Istanbul. He then lived in London, England, for two years before moving to Canada in 1998.
“…nothing prepared me for the experience in Canada,” he wrote. “Toronto was not as interesting as most European cities but it was young and vibrant, and full of ambitious people, always busy and extremely expensive”
A realistic Topal landscape painting that reminds us of parts of the Humber River. His works can be seen until December 2 at the Lakeshore Village Artists Co-op, at 115 Birmingham Street.
He started life here by selling his art at a booth on the street.
“I find it particularly hard to survive as an artist in this time of economic contraction,” the artist said. “I firmly believe that art is as ointment for the pains of the crisis.”
He made ends meet by working as an interior decorator and selling his art work.
Topal said he is inspired by his homeland and the people there.
“My memories, my imagination, and my dreams, all converge in their primeval source in Gagauz Eri,” he explained. “I am a member of this globalized society, but my heart remains forever in my town, Kazayak.”
I recommend checking out Topal’s art as it depicts a perspective of still life that is surrounded by hope, culture and beauty.