Lane Gallery London is pleased to present Black Sun, a solo exhibition by Ukrainian photographer Vasylyna Vrublevska, featuring a compelling new series. This exhibition offers an intimate look at the artist's reflections on resilience amidst isolation and the impact of blackouts in her homeland. Through her lens, Vrublevska captures the transformative experience of navigating a shadowed, yet familiar, world. Black Sun is on view at Lane Gallery London's pop-up space at 12 Saint George Street, W1S 2FB, from November 2 to November 8.
Black Sun holds deep personal significance for Vrublevska, encapsulating a narrative shaped by her encounters with blackouts*, isolation, and emotional resilience. Inspired by the feeling of a sprawling metropolis plunged into total darkness, this series immerses viewers in a world where vision fades, and life is guided by visceral instincts and sharpened senses. Imagine a vast urban centre plunged into complete darkness, where time unfolds by instinct rather than by sight. In this shadowed world, vehicles serve as moving sources of light, casting brief, lantern-like beams that momentarily pierce the night. Through these artworks, Vrublevska conveys her vision of a city where day and night blur, merging into a single, indistinct reality.
"This is a moment of personal confrontation for me," Vrublevska explains. "Darkness has always been my favourite time of day -a realm of solitude and tranquillity, where thoughts emerge, and cinematic visions unfold. I see it as having its own kind of sun, contrast to daylight. I also reflect on how, for some, the sun may never rise again, especially for those left behind after losing loved ones. Black Sun represents both a confrontation with and acceptance of darkness, inviting viewers to consider the unseen forces that shape our lives. It is a journey through shadowed spaces, about finding your way when there is no light and relying on instincts to navigate forward."
Over her 16-year career, Vrublevska has consistently pushed the boundaries of photography, reimagining its documentary potential from various angles. By skillfully manipulating photographic film, she reshapes the medium to emphasize its unique material qualities.
Black Sun marks Vasylyna Vrublevska's second solo exhibition in London. The artist lives and works between Kyiv and Paris.
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* In recent years, Kyiv and numerous Ukrainian cities have faced recurring power cuts and blackouts, due to ongoing disruptions to critical infrastructure. Energy facilities, targeted by missile and drone strikes, have suffered extensive damage, leaving urban centres grappling with unstable power supplies. These blackouts disrupt daily life, affecting heating, transportation, communication, and access to essential services, particularly as winter approaches. Many residents have adapted by using alternative light sources, backup generators, and shared community resources, reflecting both resilience and the profound impact of these outages on Ukraine's civilian population.
