〘The Flowers in Tranquil Beauty 〙— 2025 Solo Exhibition of Ekaterina Sava’s New Works
In Search of the Soul of Still Life: From Architectural Logic to Emotional Freedom
8-April-2025
3-May-2025
According to historical research, The Basket of Fruit is recognized as the first still-life painting in art history and a remarkable masterpiece by the great Michelangelo. At the time, his sincerity and realism led him to boldly elevate still life as the main subject of a painting—a rebellious move that broke away from all existing artistic norms and conventions. In this painting, we can almost smell the ripening figs with their soft, sweet fragrance, the freshly picked grapes’ rich aroma, and the texture of the withering grape leaves. The vivid realism brings an immersive experience to life.
It was through The Basket of Fruit that Mrs. Ekaterina came to understand that flowers and natural subjects could convey new meanings beyond mere decoration. They too could be deeply artistic and worth exploring. However, despite this realization, her early background in architecture often held her back—she struggled to break free from the rigidity of architectural detail. It was only through continuous effort and experimentation that she finally found the freedom to express emotion in her subjects.
In painting, inspiration is vital. Ekaterina discovered that a subject must have a story or a beautiful idea behind it to produce truly compelling work—just like those vivid personal experiences and emotionally touching moments. Without them, how can the viewer truly empathize and believe?
Someone once asked her, “Is there anything flowers cannot express in painting?”
Her metaphorical reply:
“There are no ugly women in this world—only those who do not adorn themselves or love themselves! That’s why I love telling beautiful stories of flowers in my immersive paintings. Every one of them can be so moving!”
Ekaterina enjoys composing her paintings from a blend of materials rather than relying solely on a single reference photo. She often alters the angle, direction, hue, and lighting of flowers to construct her compositions—like directing a new film or designing a stunning floral “architecture.” With tenderness, kindness, and careful attention, she captures their fleeting beauty.
You’re bound to fall in love with both the artist and her work. After all, when you learn that her husband, Igor Sava, still lovingly brings her flowers every single day, you’ll understand:
Ekaterina Sava lives a life of love and flowers—a life many dream of.
▍Exhibition Dates: April 8 (Tue) – May 3 (Sat), 2025
▍Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM / 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Closed on Sun & Mon)
▍Venue: KAI,S Gallery (1F, No. 7, Lane 16, Songjiang Rd., Zhongshan Dist., Taipei)