“Where Magic Lives”: new art exhibition by Alexander Saltavets opens in Belarus

The city of Slutsk is currently hosting a captivating art exhibition titled Where Magic Lives, featuring the enchanting works of Alexander Saltavets, a painter whose art blends realism with fantasy. With over 70 paintings on display, this new collection invites viewers into a dreamlike world filled with knights, muses, jesters, and wandering souls — each painting a portal into emotion, imagination, and beauty.

What makes this exhibition particularly special is that Alexander Saltavets is not only a renowned artist but also a proud member of the Belarusian Haemophilia Society, EHC National Member Organisation. His life and work are powerful reminders of how art can serve as a source of emotional strength, self-expression, and healing, especially for individuals living with rare conditions.

Saltavets, born in Minsk and raised in the village of Gresk, has been active in the Belarusian art scene for over two decades, with more than 800 paintings and 42 solo exhibitions to his name. His storytelling style blends classical aesthetics with a deeply personal vision. In his own words:

I don’t paint from life. Everything that ends up on the canvas comes from the soul.

Each canvas reflects Saltavets’ internal world — one where fantasy and everyday human emotions meet. His works feature solitary knights, thoughtful clowns, and mystical women, often soaring above the earth, carrying the viewer away from the mundane and into the poetic. Art critics note that his characters, though fantastical, embody real-life emotions and remind us of our shared humanity.

Beyond his artistic accomplishments, Saltavets is also a member of the haemophilia community in Belarus, and his creative work reflects the emotional complexity often experienced by patients and caregivers alike. His paintings are a vivid testimony to the power of artistic expression in processing emotions, building resilience, and inspiring others.

This exhibition is not only a celebration of imagination but also a tribute to the power of art in health, empathy, and community connection.