In past centuries, spirituality and culture coexisted and complemented each other. Today however, we live in a time of their total separation. Countries of the Soviet Block suffered this most of all after WWII, when Communism took over banning most religious art.
For me some of the best religious art is coming out of the Ukraine
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| Lyuba Yatskiv- Creation of the World |
In past Blogs I have presented the art ofIvanka Demchuk, who goes beyond the boundaries of the conservative art form of the icon, as she uses different color palettes and contemporary compositions. Ulyana Tomkevych is another wonderful artist who also uses elements of the icon but gives her art a new vitality with modern patterns and shapes. But perhaps my favorite is Lyuba Yatskiv. “She is an intuitive artist who begins with free sketches and adapts them to historic prototypes, creating long, sinous lines, which extend and bend holy figures in expressive ways.” (John Kohan - Sacred Art Pilgrim)
While I am familiar with the women of this country, I have found two men whose work I do not know, but who have a major influence on the art scene in the Ukraine today.
'I am for stillness', declares the Ukrainian artist Feodosiy Humeniuk. 'I am for an art that is deep and peaceful, like the soul of my people'.
FEODOSIY HUMENIUKis one of Ukraine Ukraine Ukraine
Feodosiy was born in the village of Rybchyntsi , near the city of Vinnytsia in central Ukraine Leningrad
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| St. George & the Dragon |
In 1975 he organized an exhibition of nonconformist artists in Moscow Leningrad in 1976, he was accused of nationalism and denied the right to reside in Leningrad
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| In the Desert |
Together with his wife Natalia and his daughter Ulyana, he moved to Dnipropetrovs'k, where he lived for six years. In 1983 Humeniuk returned to Leningrad Ottawa , York University in Toronto , and the Ukrainian Museum in New York
His work was later exhibited at the Grand Palais inParis Ukraine
His work was later exhibited at the Grand Palais in
Feodosiy has held over twenty solo exhibitions and participated in over forty group exhibitions. His work, skillfully combining folkloric content and avant-garde form, is a cornerstone of contemporary Ukrainian art.
With almost muted colors and very geometric design, for me he conveys the beauty of his people and their culture.
With almost muted colors and very geometric design, for me he conveys the beauty of his people and their culture.
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| Holy Family |
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| Christmas Festivities |