“Tarmazok”— Limited Edition Giclee on Canvas, 18”x24”

Edition of 99

“Tormozok” was the first painting Andrei created for the Still Alive Series. He came up with this painting after visiting Donetsk in 2014, at a time when conflicts were beginning to arise. Tormozok is coal mining slang, meaning “emergency brake.” The literal translation refers to the brakes on the mine shaft trollies that haul coal underground. The actual use of this term refers to a “short break,” or a small snack sometimes accompanied by a few shots of vodka. In this painting, we see the juxtaposition of the conflict’s cease-fire, demonstrated by the prominent AK-47 at the top of the piece. The fish in the center is smoked mackerel, a delicacy enjoyed by both nations. The Ukrainian “salo,” or bacon, is often a common chaser for vodka.