The artistic-photographic role of symbols in graphics: the symbolism in graphics: the symbolism of returning home

Abstract

The article explores the artistic and figurative role of symbols in graphics using the example of the symbols of “Returning Home”. The relevance of the work lies in the growing importance of symbolic language in contemporary art, as well as the need to understand the theme of home in the context of socio-cultural transformations caused by war, forced migration, and the rethinking of identity. The symbol is considered a key element of visual communication, which ensures the transmission of complex meanings, emotional states, and philosophical ideas through artistic images. The study analyzes the relationship between the concepts of “symbol” and “archetype” in the context of collective consciousness and artistic thinking. It is emphasized that the perception of symbols depends on the ethnocultural, historical, and social contexts in which the author and the viewer are situated. It is determined that symbols form a kind of visual language that allows creating multi-level interpretations of a work of art. Special attention is paid to the analysis of the key symbols of “Returning Home”, including the image of the house as an archetype of security, comfort and spiritual center; the table and household items as the personification of family traditions; the window as the boundary between the inner and outer world; flowers as carriers of emotional and cultural meanings; the female image as a symbol of home, expectation and preservation of family space. The symbolism of the state of expectation as a psychological and existential experience is revealed through compositional and figurative solutions. It is noted that the use of symbolic elements in the series' graphics contributes to the creation of a holistic artistic narrative, filled with metaphor, association, and emotional depth. It is established that the theme of returning home acquires special significance in the modern Ukrainian context, becoming a philosophical category associated with memory, identity, and a person's internal state. Symbolism is an effective means of creating a visual image, fostering a multidimensional perception of a work of art, and activating the viewer's reflective engagement with the artistic space.