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Primachenko's art illuminates Vilnius: an exhibition of works by legendary Ukrainian artist
- Марійка Дзюба
- Oct 17, 2024
- 4 min read
On 15 October 2024, the Lithuanian National Art Museum named after Vytautas Kasiulis hosted a landmark cultural event - the opening of an exhibition of works by one of the most famous Ukrainian artists, Maria Prymachenko.
The exhibition, titled ‘I Give You Sunny Art’, presents 60 works from the collection of 100 works evacuated from the Zaporizhzhia Regional Art Museum during the war in Ukraine.
This event was made possible thanks to the ongoing cooperation between Ukrainian and Lithuanian cultural institutions, which continues even in times of war.
Prymachenko's exhibition in Vilnius symbolises not only the connection between Lithuania and Ukraine, but also the importance of art in preserving national identity, especially in times of crisis. It demonstrates that even in difficult times, cultural values can unite people and inspire new achievements.
Maria Prymachenko - an icon of Ukrainian folk art
Maria Prymachenko (1909-1997) was not just an artist, but one of the most prominent figures in Ukrainian culture. She has become a symbol of folk art, known for her vivid, fantastic images that reflect the versatility of the Ukrainian soul.
Prymachenko grew up in the village of Bolotnia in the Kyiv region, and despite childhood polio, which affected her mobility, the artist was able to develop her unique artistic style.
Her work was full of bright colours, abstract figures, fantastic animals and birds, as well as folk motifs that reflected the rich folklore of Polissia.
Mariia Prymachenko created her own artistic world, which was filled with joy, light and deep philosophy. Her works became known throughout the world, gaining international recognition. In 1937, her paintings won the main prize at the International Exhibition in Paris, where they were noticed and praised by Pablo Picasso himself.
Exhibition as a bridge of cultural unity
The initiative to organise the exhibition in Vilnius was made possible by the cooperation of the Lithuanian National Art Museum named after Vytautas Kasiulis, Zaporizhzhia Regional Art Museum, and the Lviv National Art Gallery named after Borys Voznytskyi.
This exhibition is one of numerous cultural initiatives organised in cooperation between Ukraine and Lithuania. The museum's director Ilona Mazeikienė said:
‘I am very pleased to welcome everyone to the opening of this exhibition. This is the 11th exhibition organised in cooperation with Ukrainian institutions, and this cultural bridge between Lithuania and Ukraine is especially important in times of war. We are pleased to present the works of Maria Prymachenko, an outstanding Ukrainian artist whose work is a symbol of the indomitable Ukrainian spirit. The exhibition is accompanied by a fundraising drive to raise money for the restoration of the works, and I urge everyone to join this noble initiative to preserve the artistic heritage for future generations.’
Art as a symbol of invincibility
Dr Arunas Gelunas, Director General of the Lithuanian National Art Museum, also emphasised the importance of the exhibition:
‘This is our 11th joint exhibition with Ukrainian partners, and each time we see how important it is to maintain cultural ties between our peoples. Maria Prymachenko is one of the brightest figures in Ukrainian art. Her work, full of bright colours and fantastic images, reflects the strength of the Ukrainian people. Her works are a mirror of the Ukrainian spirit that cannot be broken.’
The artist Prymachenko has become a symbol of Ukraine's cultural resilience. Her works contain deep philosophical ideas that reflect the strength and endurance of the people. The fantastic images of animals and plants, as well as the multicoloured ornaments that adorn her canvases, reflect a combination of ancient Ukrainian folklore and 20th century aesthetics.
Inga Yankovych: Gratitude for the support and preservation of art
Inga Yankovych, director of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Art Museum, expressed special gratitude to the Lithuanian people for their support in preserving Maria Prymachenko's heritage:
‘I am very pleased to be in such a company. Of course, I thank the entire Lithuanian people for their support of Ukraine. The war has been going on for almost a thousand days, and every day we feel this weight on ourselves. I am very grateful to this museum for taking this collection for safekeeping, so that it is really safe, because every day we are afraid that something will happen to our works.’
Prymachenko's artworks were evacuated from the Zaporizhzhia Museum during Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Some of the works needed immediate restoration, and it was the Lithuanian Museum that took on this important mission. This support not only preserves cultural heritage, but is also an act of solidarity between the two countries.
Taras Vozniak: Fighting for the soul of the nation
The Director General of the Borys Voznytskyi Lviv National Art Gallery, Taras Voznyak, also addressed the audience, emphasizing the importance of art in the struggle for national identity:
"What is the war between Russia and Ukraine about? For territory? No. Russia has enough territories. The war is about our souls. So that we stop being Ukrainians. When were we forced to stop being Ukrainians? Just as in Soviet times they tried to make you, Lithuanians, stop being Lithuanians."
Voznyak also noted that Primachenko, like many other Ukrainian artists, has become a symbol of Ukraine's indomitability in the struggle for its own identity. Her work is an important element of cultural diplomacy that helps tell the world about the uniqueness of the Ukrainian nation.
Exhibition as a symbol of solidarity and support for Ukraine
The exhibition "I Give You Sunny Art" is a symbol of Lithuania's solidarity and support for Ukraine in difficult times of war. It will run in Vilnius until March 2, 2025, and in May will move to Klaipeda, where it will be exhibited at the Pranas Domšaitis Gallery. The exhibition is accompanied by an educational program, as well as a fundraising campaign for the restoration of Prymachenko's works.
Educational program and fundraising for restoration
The organizers of the exhibition have prepared a rich educational program, which includes lectures, excursions and master classes in both Ukrainian and Lithuanian.
This exhibition is not only a cultural event, but also a symbol of solidarity and support for Ukraine in difficult times of war.
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