Gentleman With Cheburashka On His Chest Painting

A gentleman holds in his hand a popular doll from Soviet television popular culture: Cheburaska. The artwork makes a double reference, evident in its connection to the well-known work by El Greco and another to the children's TV character from the 1980s. "The Gentleman with Cheburaska on His Chest" is one of the pieces from the Fetish series that Natasha Lelenco created in 2021, in which the author reflects on the cultural and the natural, the artificial and the organic, and on kitsch in shaping the visual memory of childhood. Lelenco's "Fetiches" series melds portraiture and anthropomorphic forms, achieved through a meticulous accumulation of elements. These elements intertwine with a nuanced thematic exploration, touching upon both kitsch and popular iconography. The series also delves into the inseparable connection between humanity and the larger living community. Drawing from her personal biography, Natasha Lelenco constructs a dialogue between memory and imagery. Through a skillful process, she resurrects fragments of her past to craft fresh narratives that challenge conventional perceptions of existence. This narrative depth, coupled with psychological complexity, echoes classical influences, seamlessly bridging the gap between Renaissance portraiture and contemporary expression. Notably, Lelenco's "Fetiches" series echoes the artistic echoes of Italian painter Giuseppe Arcimboldo.