Zachary Podgorny

My birth name is Zachar Vaks, and written in Cyrillic letters it is
3axap Bakc. I was born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and became Zachary
Podgorny when I moved to America, one year after the dissolution of
the U.S.S.R. Since then, I have been Zachary, Zach, Zacharia,
Zaktion, BeaRaWare, and Paint Jockey.
Different identities are linked to each name; a different persona for
each new moniker. A few years ago I began signing my work 3axap as a
nod to my roots. Zaktion, BeaRaWare, Paint Jockey, and 3axap are
linked to different modes of making. Zaktion channels my child like
movement, and fascination with being active. BeaRaware is the part of
me that rhymes. I find myself engaged in impromptu rhyming often.
Recently, quite a few of these have been recorded. Paint Jockey yearns
for collaboration and accompanies paintings with child-like violin
playing, vocal melodies, rhymes by BeaRaWare, and recorded reflective
thought (usually provided by 3axap). 3axap is a painter who makes oil
paintings on linen, canvas, and paper. Most recently the work on paper
has been the accumulation of stray paint, footprints, rabbit skin
glue, and other imprints of time. Both modes of painting and drawing
come from one place, but the processes in which they are made are
different in terms of the timing, and the way these materials are handled.
Most recently, I have began to show the process of my painting live,
accompanied by my violin playing or recordings of violin playing and
reflective thoughts, specific scents, and food. Each identity
accompanies and replies to the next. The latest event was a
multi-sensory experience and collaboration with dancers, musicians,
and fellow makers. I cut vegetables for a salad and distributed it to
the audience so they could partake in its taste, touch and scent. They
listened to my violin playing and watched dancers' movements across
the stage. Next, I painted while other musicians played the violin and
altered recordings of my playing. I plan to further expand on these
live experiences in the future and make paintings in response to ice
cream flavors - the first one up being rhubarb rose. The painting will
serve as a backdrop or set for dancers to react physically to.
BeaRaware will provide rhymes and the violin will be played by Paint
Jockey.
Response is a key player in activating my different modes of making.
My paintings and drawings are comments on the passage and recording of
time; using my physicality, handling of materials and non-verbal
communication with the work to create the pieces. It is through these
different modes (made by the various monikers) that I am able to
reveal different aspects of myself.