Yaroslav Ponomarenko (1982) - Touch of Light

“Touch of Light” captures a quiet moment of stillness through the restrained beauty of two ripe plums resting among their leaves. Against an almost black ground, the fruit emerges through carefully observed passages of violet, blue and burgundy, while subtle highlights reveal the delicate bloom of their skins.

Yaroslav Ponomarenko’s approach to still life is grounded in close observation and an appreciation for the transient effects of light. Here, illumination becomes the principal subject, moving gently across the rounded forms and bringing the fruit into relief without disturbing the contemplative atmosphere.

The simplicity of the composition gives the painting a timeless quality, while the deep tonal contrasts lend it a distinctly intimate and contemporary presence.

Signed by the artist on the reverse.

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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.

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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
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