Since the February 24, 2022 almost all the museums of Ukraine closed their doors for the visitors. Museum items where hidden into the storages or evacuated, the exhibition halls remained empty. Exhibition activity stopped. We all were shocked, despaired and broken. It was absolutely obvious that one of the goal of the russian invasion is to destroy our identity but our museum just had no right to stop its activity. Khmelnytskyi Regional Art Museum was the first museum of the independent Ukraine that started to collect, research and popularize contemporary art. Culture is always on the agenda especially in this turbulent times. War always brings grief and terror but at the same time it creates the foundation for mutual assistance and support, leaves room for hope and optimism.
It’s well known that most of the Ukrainian program art works belong to private collectors. That’s why everyone thought that they are unavailable for the casual visitor. Fortunately, Ukrainian collectors are not only owners of the art pieces but also are active participants of the cultural process. And now, when Ukrainian culture is under the threat of annihilation, patrons and collectors are taking an active part in development and popularization of the Ukrainian Art. Exhibitions with the art works of the most prominent Ukrainian artists from the private collections have great success not only in Ukraine but also abroad.
This exposition represents paintings and graphic works of the leading Ukrainian artists. It was formed thanks to Biruchiy contemporary art project, the biggest and oldest residency of contemporary art in Ukraine. It was founded in 2006 by the public association “Researchers union of contemporary art”. Twice a year it was held on the Biruchiy island, Azov sea. This island was occupied by russian forces at the very beginning of the invasion on 2022. But despite all the challenges and risks, founders and residents don’t give up. They are working hard to prove the world that Ukrainian art is an integral part of the world’s art process and it’s inspired by the acute social themes, personal experiences and knowledge that the culture isn’t less important weapon than tank “Leopard” or M142 “HIMARS”.
Exposition is represented the following artists: Maks Vityk, Artem Volokitin, Olha Haidash, Taia Halahan, Zhanna Kadyrova, Yurii Koval, Tetiana Malinovska, Oleksa Mann, Oleksii Markitan, Roman Minin, Dmytro Moldovanov, Yurii Pikul, Oleksandr Roitburd, Stanislav Silantiev, Yurii Solomko, Andrii Stehura.
