We´re all too familiar with the bitter and bloody civil war in Ukraine. But there´s another side to the country and a group of highly talented Ukrainian artists have come together in a bid to provide an insight into the country’s rich cultural heritage.
Ukraine, in fact, has one of the most vibrant art scenes in former Soviet Union and the artists in the exhibition Premonition: Ukrainian Art Now at the Saatchi Gallery have chosen very individual and unique ways to communicate; showing extraordinary commitment, energy, insight, resilience and talent.
Their work is particularly contemporary and highly topical as it reflects the current challenges facing Ukraine.
It also predicts, in an uncanny way, the growing challenges and questions concerning their nation’s future identity and stability.
Jointly organized by the Firtash Foundation, the expo aims to provide a broad introduction to the diverse and energetic nature of Ukraine’s art-scene through showcasing over 70 works by 38 artists.
It is thought to be the world’s largest exhibition of contemporary art from Ukraine.
Lada Firtash, chairwoman of the Firtash Foundation, said, “Given that Ukraine has hardly been out of the news this year, much of the art on show undoubtedly reflects the challenges facing the country.”
Vladysla Tuzov, deputy director of Ukraine´s National Academy of Arts, who said, “Ukraine today has become a significant contributor to global culture.”
The exhibition, which runs from 9 October to 3 November, features work that has been made recently, but mostly pre-dates the social unrest and upheaval that Ukraine has experienced during 2014.
However, as the title suggests, since the early years of the new millennium the work of many Ukrainian artists has tended to reflect burning issues now facing the country.
The event showcases an exciting group of artists who are relatively unknown outside their homeland. Some of the artists featured in the exhibition have established reputations in Ukraine, while others are recent graduates.
