Artist Merges Classical Artwork with Urban Culture in Digital Collages

At first sight, modern urban existence may appear mismatched with traditional art. How could visuals drawn from Greek mythology possibly engage with those of a morning subway ride? For Ukrainian creator Alexey Kondakov, these eras are, in fact, quite harmonious. He has discovered that digital collage serves as the connecting element.

Kondakov has consistently combined classical art with cityscapes, crafting surreal arrangements that can be unexpected, humorous at times, yet perpetually delightful. A prevailing motif for the Kyiv-based artist is public transit, where mythological figures such as Mars, Venus, and Psyche are immersed in lively buses and subways. With Kondakov’s keen observations and meticulous skills, these characters never appear out of context, effortlessly integrating and enhancing their environments. It is precisely this feeling of unity that revitalizes both the classic and modern contexts.

One of Kondakov’s collages, for example, reinterprets Paul Peel’s The Little Shepherdess from 1892. In Peel’s original piece, the shepherdess is situated on a rock near a stream, her foot lightly skimming the water as she gazes at her reflection. This particular stance allows for numerous interpretations, and Kondakov ingeniously capitalizes on it in his contemporary collage. In Kondakov’s vision, the shepherdess is atop a yellow scooter, looking down at the pavement as if about to zoom off across the city. The arrangement is whimsical, yet it reflects Kondakov’s appreciation for his source material. He adeptly transfers a girl from the 19th century into today’s world, her presence on the scooter as fitting as the urban backdrop surrounding her.

Another collage fuses an image of a subway interior with William-Adolphe Bouguereau’s Song of the Angels. In this scene, the Virgin Mary is seated in a subway train, cradling baby Jesus, while three angels harmonize above her. This collage stands as one of Kondakov’s most renowned works, and it’s easy to see why: the atmosphere is warm, almost nostalgic, characterized by soft lighting that evokes classical paintings and techniques.

“This piece became one of the most iconic and recognizable in my oeuvre,” Kondakov commented about the collage. “It garnered far more interest than I anticipated, and even now, as Christmas approaches, I receive inquiries from all over the globe—from churches and parishes—requesting to utilize it as a holiday card.”

Kondakov does not confine his work to public transit alone; he embraces every facet of urban living. Some collages feature women walking dogs along the street, flanked by buzzing vending machines. Others are more vibrant, showcasing Eros, Psyche, and an angel preparing for a dinner gathering in a kitchen apartment.

To explore more of his creations, follow Alexey Kondakov on Instagram.

Through digital collage, Ukrainian artist Alexey Kondakov effortlessly connects the past with the present.

In his artistry, figures from classical art resurface in urban lives, traveling on the subway or zipping about on a scooter.

Alexey Kondakov also develops collages that portray different elements of contemporary life, from intimate gatherings at home to car repairs.

Alexey Kondakov: Website | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Alexey Kondakov.

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