In Alchemy of Time, Ukrainian artist Kot Valeriy constructs a dreamlike landscape in which fragments of memory, architecture and human identity merge into a single symbolic realm. Executed in a refined surrealist language, the composition unfolds through fluid forms and shifting perspectives, inviting the viewer into a world where chronology and reality appear suspended. A central figure emerges from a labyrinth of elongated structures, celestial motifs and enigmatic details. References to classical vessels, marine imagery and imaginary architecture create a visual narrative that feels simultaneously ancient and futuristic. The work’s warm palette of ochres, rose tones and luminous blues lends the composition a meditative quality, while its meticulous execution reveals the artist’s technical precision. Rather than offering a fixed interpretation, Alchemy of Time encourages contemplation. The painting speaks to transformation, memory and the continual reconstruction of personal and collective histories. Its symbolic vocabulary echoes the traditions of European Surrealism while maintaining a distinctly contemporary sensibility. Created in Kyiv in 2015, the work reflects Kot Valeriy’s fascination with metaphysical themes and his ability to translate philosophical ideas into richly imaginative imagery. A powerful and contemplative example of contemporary European surrealism. About the Artist: Valeriy Kot (Ukraine, 1950) studied architecture and worked in architectural studios in Kyiv before dedicating himself fully to painting in 1985. Fascinated by surrealism from an early stage, he began developing his own visual language in the late 1970s and held his first exhibition in 1979. Since the mid-1980s his work has been exhibited regularly in Ukraine and internationally, including exhibitions in Berlin and Belgium. Kot’s paintings are known for their imaginative structures, philosophical undertones, and dreamlike compositions that merge natural, historical, and symbolic elements. — Curated by Havisham & Co. Instagram: @havishamco Website: www.havishamco.com