Ivan Pokidyshev's Thermography-Inspired Paintings Illuminate Human Warmth

Ivan Pokidyshev, a painter from Saint Petersburg, produces vibrant oil and acrylic artworks that merge classical representation with ethereal glows inspired by thermography. Born in 1993, he graduated from the Imperial Academy of Arts and joined the Russian Artists' Union in 2018. His paintings illustrate inner radiant energy emanating from figures into surrounding shadows, influenced by infrared thermography that uncovers hidden heat patterns. Between 2017 and 2021, his early works formed a "mosaic self-portrait," delving into themes of power, futility, heroism, and dramatic contrasts. In 2022, a significant shift occurred, leading him to emphasize light, warmth, life, and love. His recent piece "Garden" (acrylic, 2024) symbolizes hope with vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows. He will hold a major solo exhibition titled "Wanderer in the Dark" at Erarta Museum in 2025 and has gained nearly 50,000 followers on Instagram, showcasing his unique visual language that he describes as a "poetry of light and warmth."