Detroit exhibit showcases works by 65 Ukrainian artists (02/09/97)

Detroit exhibit showcases works by 65 Ukrainian artists

DETROIT - In celebration of the fifth annniversary of Ukraine's independence, the art exhibit "Volya-Freedom," sponsored by the Toronto-based Ukrainian Association of Visual Artists of Canada (USOM) and the Association for the Advancement of Ukrainian Culture (ADUK) in Warren, Mich., was held November 3-December 13, 1996, at the Biegas Gallery.

Greetings on the occasion of Ukraine's fifth year of independence and support for the endeavor were sent by Dennis W. Archer, mayor of Detroit, and Congressman David Bonior, minority whip.

The showing featured 65 artists from Ukraine, the United States and Canada and 200 tableaux. The scope of the exhibit included renowned artists who have passed away, among them Mychajlo Moroz (1904-1992), Myron Levytsky (1913-1993), Orest Kawka (1936-1982), Dr. Bohdan Stebelsky (1911-1994) and Wolodymyr Bednarsky-Wolod (1927-1996). The oldest exhibitor was 88-year-old Mychajlo Dmytrenko, and the youngest was 18-year-old photographer, Tanas Hayda. The exhibit allowed viewers to see works in various genres, covering a span of 75 years of Ukrainian art.

The exhibit was curated by Dzvinka Nykorak Hayda, president of ADUK.

The exhibit opened with a reception on November 3, with many Ukranian and American viewers as well as art gallery owners in attendance. The exhibit was displayed on two levels of the 8,000-square foot gallery.

Among the icons exhibited were works by Mr. Dmytrenko, Pavlo Lopata, Bohdan Holowacki and Bohdan Kozakov.

Landscape and cityscape paintings in various styles were exhibited by such diverse artists as Yuri Savchenko, Oleh Tsoi, Slava Hnativ, Yakiv Krekhovetsky, Volodymyr Monastyretsky, Ludmila Shanta, Larissa Shoushko and Yuri Skoroopsky.

There was a strong representation of floral paintings by Helena Panczak, Valeri Kovalchuck, Yevgeniya Buyanova, Adele Kereliuk and Mr. Skoroopsky.

Works characterized by individual abstract styles were rendered by Roman Baranyk, Ludmila Barmina, Olena Diadenko, Vasyl Kondratiuk, Erika Komenyi-Skoroopska, Oksana Movchan, Lydia Palij, Andrij Sinitar, Raina Stebelsky and Yuri Hura.

Also on exhibit were bas-reliefs in wood by Zenon Holubec; watercolors by Alexander Tkachenko; folklore motifs characterizing the work of Yuri Olyshkevych; batik on silk by Chrystyna Nykorak; ink-on-paper drawings by Volodymyr Nemyra; ceramic works by Wendy Walgate; sculpture by Adriana Shoom, Oleh Lesiuk and Nicholas Nehaniv; tapestry by Maria Zazula; photography by Taras Hayda, Tanas Hayda and Christina Kudryk; and installation art by Dan Graschuk, exhibition juror.

Among the other artists whose works were exhibited were Andrij Babytsch (president, USOM), Ihor Bilinsky, Olena Diadenko, Anatolij Druchylo, Judy Enright, Ihor Kurok, Ivan Lazirko, Anatoli Moukhortov, Ms. Nykorak Hayda, Isabella Dereniuk McDermick, Irena Nosyk, Halyna Novakiwska, Irma Osadsa, Maria Styranka, Youlia Tkatchouck, Victor Tsapko, Emil Telizyn and Anna Yuschuk.

Part of the proceeds from the exhibition sale was designated for humanitarian causes in Ukraine.

A 70-page black-and-white illustrated catalogue of the exhibition is available for $9 (postage included) by writing to: ADUK, 2582 Otter, Warren, MI 48092.

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