
Feodor Voronov
Harbinger, 2012

Utilizing John Rajchman's notion of "operative formalism," Feodor Voronov (b. 1980, …

Feodor Voronov draws inspiration from the philosopher Jon Rajchman’s term “operative formalism” to produce swirling, colorful paintings that explore the formal aesthetics of language, experimenting with the impact of repetition on perception. Voronov typically begins with a word, using the letters as a starting point for a complex arrangement of lines and patterns—rendered in acrylic, marker, ball-point pen, and spray paint—that spin out from the center of the canvas. Speaking of his incorporation of words into paintings, Voronov has said, “My interest lies primarily in their shape, look, and compositional capabilities.”


Utilizing John Rajchman's notion of "operative formalism," Feodor Voronov (b. 1980, St. Petersburg) creates optical terrains that splinter and twist around the central image of a word. Voronov investigates the nature of repetition in both form and language by painting harlequin patterns that are at once …

Feodor Voronov draws inspiration from the philosopher Jon Rajchman’s term “operative formalism” to produce swirling, colorful paintings that explore the formal aesthetics of language, experimenting with the impact of repetition on perception. Voronov typically begins with a word, using the letters as a starting point for a complex arrangement of lines and patterns—rendered in acrylic, marker, ball-point pen, and spray paint—that spin out from the center of the canvas. Speaking of his incorporation of words into paintings, Voronov has said, “My interest lies primarily in their shape, look, and compositional capabilities.”