The idea of this remarkable exhibition was born in very difficult times, when, instead of thinking about art and communicating directly with it (which is quite logical for museum workers), we are increasingly seeing the inside of Ukrainian houses turned upside down and the targeted destruction of our cultural heritage. Of course, this raises a number of existential questions, because war is an absolute evil that can destroy everything we love. The daily aerial terror makes us teeter on the brink. But, on the other hand, it turned out that this is also the best time to test our own strengths and capabilities (if only because we may not have any other time). In fact, these thoughts have become an important impetus for continuing to study, rethink, and popularize the work of Ukrainian artists who also had traumatic experiences in other wars, but who not only did not lose their human dignity, but remained a model of culture and nobility until their last days.

Therefore, it is with special pleasure that we invite you to the opening of the exhibition “Life in Dialogue” by Margit (Reich) and Roman Selskyi on November 15 at 18.00, the artists whose work directly influenced the formation of the Lviv artistic environment of the second half of the twentieth century, began to work fruitfully in the 1920s, and were founders and members of many artistic associations, including “artes” and ANUM.

Most of the exposition is built in the form of a certain dialog between the couple, but still different artists. We regret to say that a significant part of Margit’s works, especially from the early period, was lost during the Second World War. Therefore, in quantitative terms, Roman Selskyi’s creative heritage is much more prevalent. Nevertheless, the presented works provide an excellent opportunity to trace the dynamics of the creative development of both artists over a period of more than half a century.

We are grateful to Eduard Dymshyts, art critic, academician of the European Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters, honorary academician of the National Academy of Arts of Ukraine, Honored Artist of Ukraine and tireless promoter of Ukrainian art, for the opportunity to hold this exhibition.

“Roman and Margit were both talented artists. The Paris School had a huge impact on their formation as artists. They were not only a loving couple, but also like-minded creators. It is said that the life lived by the Selskys together was not rich at all. Neither of them had a penchant for earning money and luxuries. But they traveled together, worked together, and the unique landscapes of Lviv, the Carpathians, Crimea, and Poland appeared on their numerous canvases almost simultaneously. They were surrounded by a circle of close friends and colleagues who filled their lives with the joy of creative communication. Roman and Margit were close to each other until the artist’s death in 1980.”
Eduard Dymshyts