Lidiia BORYSENKO. “Tree” Original technique (photo above)
Tetyana KYSELEVA. “Photosynthesis. The Process Has Begun.” Original technique
LET THE ENCHANTMENT LAST, LET IT LAST…
Text:Larysa SMYK
Photo:Victor KHOMENKO
2004
Marina SOKOLOVA
“Film About Colored Dreams and Black-and-White” Silk, hand painting
As part of the 11th Spring Vernissage at the “Lavra” Gallery, an exhibition of Ukrainian artistic textiles titled “Art-Photosynthesis” took place, featuring 12 Kyiv-based artist-designers: Lidiia and Nataliia Borysenko, Holina Hryshchenko, Tetyana Kyseleva, Muza Kernytska, Olha Marino, Oleksii Moroz, Nataliia Pikush, Maryna Sokolova, Mamut Churlu, Viktor Khomenko, and Nataliia Shekhireva. All of them are remarkable individuals with talent, extensive creative experience, and numerous international exhibitions behind them. It took several years before the initiators of this exhibition—Olha Marino, a board member of the Union of Designers, and Halyna Hryshchenko—were able to realize their vision. Finding sponsors was difficult. It seemed that in a country where unregulated capital accumulation is underway, no one cared about genuine art. The idea was supported by the Main Department of Culture, Arts, and Protection of Cultural Heritage under the City State Administration—they provided funding and a venue. Looking ahead, it can be said that when the exhibition opened, many were greatly surprised by the presence of such a number of extraordinary and stylish masters in Ukraine.
Nataliia PIKUSH. “Birds on the Ground.” Tapestry, hand weaving
Muza KIRNITSKAL. “Sensation of Life.” Original technique
It was not easy to bring together such diverse artists representing different schools in one exhibition. However, they were all united by a common idea — the protection of the ecology of the environment, the soul, and creativity. The artists aimed to express spiritual processes and issues in life and the creative sphere through various techniques. Their art was intended to demonstrate human intellectual capabilities, attract the attention of architects and designers to contemporary textiles in interior design, and, most importantly, to modern culture.
Viktor KHOMENKO. “Angels (Group Portrait).” Tapestry
The history of textiles is complex. Each nation has its own story. These handcrafted works of art were worn as clothing, placed on floors, or hung on walls. Speaking broadly about Ukrainian tradition, one should recall the rushnyk, lizhnyk, kilim, and vereta. The last one is a traditional elongated rug indispensable in Hutsul interiors. It was used at weddings and funerals and hung from the ceiling. In a Slavic home, every element has a clear purpose: the chest stands uncovered, the table is covered with a tablecloth, the bench is covered with a vereta, and the bed with a lizhnyk. Each item has its own function and bears symbols characteristic of its region. All of this is part of cultural heritage, passed down from the past and warming us today.
To create something valuable, one must love their culture. The works exhibited in the gallery represented techniques characteristic of traditional Slavic culture — lizhnykarstvo (making lizhnyks), hand weaving, as well as block printing, embroidery, face stitching practiced in monasteries, tapestry, fabric painting, patchwork, installations, and collage. Also presented was original technique invented by the artists themselves, which defies description and is better seen in person. Materials used included wood, metal (in installations), velvet, natural and synthetic silk, linen, linen cords, wool, and sisal. It was striking how traditional techniques were applied to create quite modern and even secular items.
Nataliia SHEKHIREVA. Triptych “Rainbow.” Patchwork
Olha MARINO. “Landscape of the Paradise City.” Tapestry, hand weaving
What inspired admiration was not only the talent but also the warmth and richness of creativity, the textile plasticity of patterns, and the ability to go beyond a single technique. These works reminded us that the most important thing in life is creation aimed at the development of spirituality. Their future life is in modern interiors, where they can play not only a decorative role but also nurture culture and good taste.
Halyna HRYSHCHENKO. “Doll,” hand painting Olha
Just like the unique reaction of photosynthesis that creates the life-essential chlorophyll in the cell under sunlight and releases oxygen, this exhibition gave everyone a huge breath of fresh air, hope, and faith in the beautiful… Meanwhile, the works of our artists are leaving their homeland and moving into private collections, adorning interiors abroad. But we will be waiting for new works and new meetings with them.
BORYSENKO “The Road of Life,” original technique
Volodymyr HANKEVYCH. Untitled. Original technique (photo on the right)
Lidiia BORYSENKO. “Meeting” Needle technique
