Maria Prymachenko: Glory to Ukraine

On February 27, 2022, just three days into Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russian forces destroyed a museum in Ivankiv, a village near Kyiv, where the renowned artist Maria Prymachenko’s works were stored and exhibited. This was the first of many museums and historical monuments that Russia would destroy. At that moment, The Ukrainian Museum in New York decided to mount an exhibition of Prymachenko’s works, to give the world an opportunity to see what Russia wanted so badly to destroy.  
 
An icon of Ukrainian culture, identity, resilience, and tradition, Maria Prymachenko (1909–97) is one of the most celebrated artists in Ukraine. She was born in the village of Bolotnia, near Chornobyl, and lived there all her life. For over 60 years, Prymachenko used her wildly creative imagination to produce art based profoundly on her deep connection with nature and her rich cultural heritage. Despite having no formal art training, she possessed an innate artistic talent that became evident from a young age, developing a distinctive style that was deeply rooted in Ukrainian folklore and mythology. She drew inspiration from folk tales and traditions passed down through generations, weaving them into a visual tapestry that celebrates the beauty and mysticism of Ukrainian folklore.  

Over the years, Prymachenko also wove various political and social critiques into her art. At first glance, her works appear primitive, traditional, and unassuming, but a deeper look into her animals, beasts, and gardens transforms these figures into representations of political leaders, criticism of the Soviet Union, and reactions to social issues in Ukraine: we see the trauma of war, anti-war and anti-nuclear statements, the Chornobyl disaster, and even satires of Soviet leaders and collective farms. Paired with her village lifestyle, her humble appearance allowed her to bypass Soviet authorities—to be one of the few Ukrainian artists of her time to survive Stalin’s purges.    

Maria Prymachenko: Glory to Ukraine is a tribute to the artist’s resilient legacy and to the unbreakable spirit of Ukrainian identity and of Prymachenko herself—a celebration of her innovative works and her impact, despite Russia’s latest campaign of terror on the Ukrainian people. During her lifetime, Prymachenko created a wide range of art—drawings, paintings, ceramics, embroidered garments—all represented in the exhibition, the largest ever of her work, and the only exhibition held outside of Europe. Along with over 100 paintings, the exhibition features unique ceramic works and wooden objects, embroidered shirts and ritual cloths, and other items created by the artist. Most of the artworks, all from Kyiv, have never been shown before and are making their premiere at this exhibition. In conjunction with Maria Prymachenko: Glory to Ukraine, Rodovid Press in Kyiv is publishing a 176 -page exhibition catalogue, the first such publication in both English and Ukrainian. 

Exhibition curator: Peter Doroshenko, Director, The Ukrainian Museum.