Katafalka Painting

BMW 5 series E34 was not just a dream, status symbol, or goal upon the collapse of the Soviet Union, it was the definitive quality of one’s persona, known among the folk as the extortionist’s war machine (Боевая Машина Вымогателя.) It meant the affiliation of one with the highest class of criminal hierarchy (Bratva), and if parked nearby an establishment or a house, would mean nothing but a solid misfortune to the owner in the form of a violent racket. It was also the car the characters from the Law of Lawless acquired the minute they got the funds to do so, the car, the images of which preteen boys pinned to the walls of their bedrooms, and the car schoolgirls fantasized about sitting in. It stood for the image of a strong, persistent, and powerful man who, despite the ubiquitous poverty and the demolition of all governing systems, managed to create the world for himself at a cruel cost, always feared but admired and glorified. However, as the decade went on, more and more “war machines” turned into catafalques, as was later said among the common folk, with their owners dying in assassinations, shootings, and fights, like the lead character of the series. The painting depicts the exact moment when a glorified E34 turns into a mere catafalque full of nothing but corpses and the remains of planted explosives: the short ending to the equally short success story. The wide, textured, aggressive strokes of flames and smoke contrast with the crisp pure exterior of the car, setting the dramatic mood for the painting: as if a photograph shot in the midst of action it has an evident focus, while the rest is a chaotic blurriness of shades, tones, blends and gradients.

Painting:Oil on Canvas

Original:One-of-a-kind Artwork

Size:30 W x 24 H x 1 D in

Delivery Time:Typically 5-7 business days for domestic shipments, 10-14 business days for international shipments.