Yaroslav Ponomarenko (1982) - Ladybird on Lemon

In Ladybird on Lemon, Yaroslav Ponomarenko transforms an ordinary fragment of nature into a meditation on scale, attention, and quiet wonder. Suspended between earth and sky, the luminous lemons emerge from a silvery atmosphere that feels both tangible and dreamlike. Upon the fruit rests a solitary ladybird, a fleeting presence that becomes the silent protagonist of the composition.

The painting invites a slower gaze. What might otherwise be overlooked is elevated through extraordinary sensitivity to light and form. The contrast between the monumental fruit and the delicate insect creates a subtle tension, reminding us that significance is often found in the smallest encounters.

Ponomarenko’s work continues a tradition of poetic realism, where observation becomes contemplation and nature reveals itself not merely as subject, but as a bearer of memory, stillness, and grace.

Oil on Fibreboard • 18 x 24 cm • 2024

⸻

Yaroslav Ponomarenko (b. 1982, Kharkiv, Ukraine) is a contemporary painter whose practice is grounded in the technical discipline and visual language of European Old Master traditions.

Trained at the Kharkiv Art Lyceum and later at the National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture in Kyiv, Ponomarenko developed a rigorous approach to drawing, composition, and pictorial structure. His work reflects an ongoing engagement with historical methods, informed by extended study of classical painting techniques and the material processes of European schools.

Working primarily within still life and symbolic composition, he focuses on the precise observation of natural forms, often isolating modest subjects and rendering them with a heightened sense of clarity and restraint. Light and tonal construction play a central role in his practice, allowing objects to emerge gradually from subdued atmospheric grounds.

Alongside his studio work, Ponomarenko has been active as an educator, contributing to the transmission of classical techniques through structured teaching and research. This dual engagement with practice and pedagogy informs a body of work that is both technically exacting and conceptually measured.

His paintings situate themselves within a contemporary revival of classical realism, where historical continuity is approached not as imitation, but as a disciplined and evolving language.

Yaroslav Ponomarenko is represented by Havisham & Co., where his paintings are introduced to collectors through curated sales and selected auction placements.

⸻

Havisham & Co.

Havisham & Co. is a London-based fine art agency representing contemporary artists whose work engages with heritage, symbolism, and classical craftsmanship. The agency facilitates the placement of original artworks through curated sales, private transactions, and selected international auction platforms.

Instagram: @havishamco
Website: www.havishamco.com
Email: info@havishamco.com

International shipments may be subject to customs duties and import taxes, which are determined by local authorities and are the responsibility of the buyer.