NEW YORK, NY.- The much-anticipated art exhibition Water Drops on Burning Rocks has successfully concluded its run at Mriya Gallery. Presented by Rukh Art Hub, the exhibition featured the compelling works of Ukrainian artist Nina Murashkina and Spanish sculptor Xavier Escala. The show explored powerful themes of duality, contrast, and the delicate interplay between masculine and feminine energies.


Nina Murashkina, My favorite wife

The exhibition's title, Water Drops on Burning Rocks, was inspired by the philosophical question of dualities—whether a water drop falling onto a scorching stone would instantly evaporate or slowly leave a lasting mark. These inquiries into the fragility of time, transformation, and the potential for change were at the core of the artists' work. Visitors were drawn into a thought-provoking and sensual environment, where Murashkina's vivid visual language and Escala's tactile sculptures came together in a harmonious exploration of opposites.


Nina Murashkina, Lysistrata

Murashkina's pieces captivated the audience with their potent mix of femininity and mystery, drawing from her experiences growing up in Donetsk, Ukraine. Her work reflects a vision of divine, powerful women who reign over men. Fueled by elegance, strength, and sensuality, Murashkina's art invites viewers into a world of danger, seduction, and empowerment. Her works, showcased in major international exhibitions across the USA, UK, France, Spain, Germany, and Ukraine, have been praised for their emotional depth and poetic resonance. One of her pieces was awarded the A-FAD Award for Best Design of the Year at the Barcelona Design Museum.


Nina Murashkina, Seductress

Escala’s sculptures, grounded in the concept of Coincidentia Oppositorum—the union of opposites—created a deep resonance with Murashkina's art, even as they stood in stark contrast. Masterfully crafted in stone and wood, Escala's sculptures reveal the invisible tensions between contrasting materials. A seasoned artist who studied at the renowned academies of Santa Isabel de Hungría and Carrara, and trained under sculptor Aron Demetz, Escala’s work is a testament to his lifelong dedication to exploring the harmony between contradictions. His accomplishments include winning the prestigious National Sculpture Prize “Excelentísima Duquesa de Alba.”


Xavier Escala, Aphrodite

In addition to their individual works, the exhibition also paid homage to Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s play Water Drops on Burning Rocks, which inspired the artists' exploration of the inner passions of the masculine and feminine. Through their art, Murashkina and Escala invited the audience to experience the profound union of these opposing forces, offering a meditative reflection on love, power, and transformation.

A key highlight of the exhibition was Murashkina’s new project, Lysistrata, inspired by the ancient Greek play. Through a combination of paintings, video, and installation, Lysistrata delivered a bold statement on female empowerment, peace, and the role of women in societal change. The work also served as a poignant commentary on the ongoing war in Ukraine, reflecting on the resilience and strength of the Ukrainian people.


Xavier Escala, Aphrodite1

Rukh Art Hub

Rukh Art Hub is a Ukrainian creative initiative based in New York, dedicated to empowering artists through exhibitions, events, and career development services. The platform fosters connections between Ukrainian and international art communities.