Orest Dubay — Birdie

Birdie, a graphical sheet created with a linocut technique is a typical “Dubay” lyrical geometric presentation. It is dominated by an oval shape that can be perceived as a bird cage with a birdie sitting in its right section. Its simplicity and timelessness is emphasised by its black background located in the third quarter of the suggested paper sheet. This black “board” creates a perfect background for the simple, yet dominating cage stylisation. The artist often chose geometrical composition in combination with animal motives as Orest Dubay’s typical features are an animal motive and a strong sense for lines and shortcuts.

The graphic artist – engraver used to “draw” with knife and nail into wood very often. His well known graphical artworks have two suggested layers – lyrically simple interpretations of nature and social and historical themes, although not heroising ones.

Dubay was interested in human life and the abilities/possibilities of enjoying a walk in the woods or conquering the world or the universe. His characteristic features include dense hatching, motives of a bird, horse, leaves, children and women and simple straightforwardness of his expressions. The actual artworks are effective and yet the artist’s approach seems distant. They are easily understandable and incorporate diary features or experiences. He experimented a lot in his graphic art (originally due to his financial situation). He could combine black and white brilliantly. He used black and white surfaces of lights and shadows, firm lines and simplicity to express the joys and sorrows of his age. He has also created a few sculptures, mostly torsos and reliefs.

He used elaborate details of leaves and branches in his artistic poetry and combined them with various symbols of life (human beings, birds, etc). He focused on the circle and rhythm of life and nature, people and their inventiveness, but also their imperfections and carelessness. He used inconspicuous art to show us his view of all the big and little things that create our world.