Ukrainian artist Oleg Dron creates large-scale pointillism paintings by using a syringe needle as his brush. Each piece, measuring over a metre in length, becomes a contemplation of nature’s grandeur and all the little components have come together to make it work. Here, pointillism becomes a tool to contemplate every element, from the field of grass to trees, birds and even the microorganisms in the soil; Dron's pieces highlight how everything works together to create a harmonious yet delicate existence.
Process of Evening Sun by Oleg Dron. Video courtesy of @nordhelo/Instagram.
His choice of using a syringe needle as a brush was done for both technical and symbolic reasons. In terms of technique, the syringe helps Dron to create individual minuscule dots and strokes a brush would not have been able to. In terms of symbolism, it is especially poetic since here, the syringe symbolizes human activity, more importantly, human intrusion of the natural world as syringes are frequently used to pierce and interfere with the bodies of humans and animals.
Hence, when viewers think about the syringe’s symbolism and come to understand his laborious and time-consuming practice, Dron’s pieces become a call to action for a mindful approach to any sort of human activity that may disrupt the delicate balance that exists in nature. This is why the pointillism landscape paintings by Oleg Dron are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of Life on Land.
On the other hand, Dron’s pointillism can also signify how climate change poses a multifaceted threat to the delicate balance of nature. These threats include water scarcity, extreme weather, rising sea levels, melting glaciers, warming oceans, loss of soil health, loss of freshwater quality and much more. Therefore, just like the many dots that make up his landscape paintings, Dron calls for holistic action from everyone who views them—as together, a drop of water can create an ocean.
Oleg Dron's needle-pointillism landscapes offer a profound reminder of nature’s beauty and fragile balance. Using a syringe needle for precise, tiny strokes, Dron crafts large-scale paintings that depict landscapes in stunning detail, inviting viewers to consider every component of the natural world—from vast mountains to microscopic soil organisms. Through his meticulous technique, Dron’s work calls for collective responsibility to preserve the delicate ecosystems threatened by climate change. His needle-pointillism landscapes inspire audiences to protect and cherish the interconnected world around them.
Find out more about needle-pointillism landscapes and other initiatives by Oleg Dron on his Instagram @nordhelo.