Modern Iconography
The Face as a Landscape of Emotion
Olga Rykova does not paint portraits in the traditional sense; she captures the kinetic energy of the human spirit. Moving beyond the stillness of oil, she works primarily in high-pigment acrylics and mixed media, fusing the raw immediacy of modern expressionism with the timeless weight of genuine gold and silver leaf.
Her subjects—often powerful, enigmatic women—are not posing; they are emerging from a storm of color. From the 'Blooming Souls' series to her latest mixed-media explorations, Rykova’s work is a study in contrast: the fluidity of dripping paint against the permanent, reflective silence of precious metals.
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The Philosophy: Controlled Chaos
"A face is never static. It is a map of every emotion we have ever held."
Olga Rykova’s art is a rebellion against the flat and the finished. She paints the internal state of her subjects. Using a proprietary blend of heavy-body acrylics and mixed media, she builds her portraits layer by layer, often allowing the paint to drip, pool, and break form.
This calculated chaos is then anchored by her signature use of 24k gold and sterling silver leaf. The metal does not just decorate the image; it illuminates it, changing how the portrait interacts with the light in your room throughout the day.
The Artist: Olga Rykova
Born in Chișinău, Moldova, and now working from her studio in Montreal, Olga Rykova’s style is a collision of two worlds. Her foundation is built on the rigorous anatomical training of Eastern European fine art, but her execution is distinctly contemporary.
After years of mastering traditional forms, she broke away to develop her current "Vibrant Realism" style. She rejects the slow drying time of oil in favor of the speed and sharpness of acrylics, allowing her to capture emotions in real-time. The result is a body of work that feels alive, urgent, and unmistakably modern.
Selected Exhibitions & Acclaim
Olga Rykova’s work is held in private collections across Canada, the United States, Europe, and Russia. Selected exhibitions include:
- London, UK: Eclectic Gallery (Mayfair)
- Seattle Art Fair, 2023
- Art Market San Francisco, 2022
- Art Fair Hampstead, 2022
- Art Fair NYC, 2022 & 2017
- Art Fair Battersea, 2022
The Rykova Estate: Authenticity
Archival Mixed Media
Working with mixed media requires a higher level of technical vigilance. The Rykova Estate ensures that every canvas is treated, sealed, and varnished to museum standards to protect the integrity of the gold leaf and the vibrancy of the acrylics for generations.
Each acquisition is handled directly by the estate in Montreal and includes a signed Certificate of Authenticity detailing the specific media used in that work.