A painting is born out of the search for a balance between form and content. I am not speaking of painting in general, but specifically of a pictorial work whose purpose is to speak powerfully, loudly, articulately, and meaningfully—to become an event for both professional and general audiences. A painting must combine a profound idea that resonates with a large portion of the public, extremely carefully considered means of artistic expression, and a cohesive compositional structure. The interaction of characters and objects, semi-figurative or even abstract elements within the unified space of the work must be compelling, reflecting significant social relevance or a unique artistic vision of reality or simulated conceptual constructs.

An important task of our project is to conduct thorough research into the historical context and artistic characteristics of each work and the biographies of their authors. As a result, we aim to end the shameful silence surrounding those who require decommunization and decolonization from the ideological narratives that have prevailed for years. Note: it is the narratives, not the physical works themselves, that serve as significant testimonies to a specific historical period in art and are an integral part of the State Museum Fund of Ukraine.

A large-format work is a serious challenge for a painter—both creatively, intellectually, and simply physically. Large canvases are less likely to be acquired for a private collection, yet they require significant time and material resources to create. They seek public spaces where their purpose—to be seen by as large and diverse an audience as possible—can be fulfilled. As the patriarch of contemporary art, Oleksandr Dubovyk, says: “I love museums. I feel at home there.” And large-scale works love spacious museum halls, regardless of when they were created. This is the museum format. This is where they belong.

Please note that each of the 18 featured works is accompanied by a separate description, from which you can learn more about the painting and its artist. As you journey through art from the late 19th century to the first decades of the 21st century, we invite you to form your own impression of what a particular painting would lose or gain if its size were different. And once again, marvel at the unique content of the KhRAM collection, which has been steadily growing over the past 40 years.