Pavel Sokov

Courtesy of the artist and ARC.

Best in Show in the 17th International ARC Salon® online exhibition;

17th & 18th International ARC Salon® Exhibition at Sotheby's New York, July 17-27, 2026.

Art Renewal Center, International Realism: 17th & 18th International ARC Salons (Woodbridge, UK: ACC Art Books Ltd, 2026), pp. cover, 7-8, illustrated.

“What we see specifically in this painting called Watching the Dance is a young girl in front of a tribal dance. I remember it being extremely hot that day, and the sun was baking me. No wonder the painting of that scene came out so warm! As for the girl herself, it is very interesting to see the change in the kids from the day you arrive to a tribe and the day you leave. They are guarded at first, run away, find your skin and hair funny. But with time they become comfortable and very curious about what you are doing. By the time you are leaving, you are basically normal to them. The adults are usually harder to read because they keep their emotions hidden and guarded, so you can't really tell how they feel about you as well as you can with the kids.”

– Pavel Sokov