"Regal Fantasy" showcases wearable art and paintings (02/16/03)

"Regal Fantasy" showcases wearable art and paintings

SOUTH BOUND BROOK, N.J. - A fashion show aptly titled "Regal Fantasy," comprising knitted wearable art created by the designer Tamara Massalska, was held under the auspices of the Ukrainian National Women's League of America Branch 4 of Piscataway on November 3, 2002, in the grand reception hall of St. Andrew's Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Showcased as part of the overall program were the works of Andrei Poteryaylo, a graphic artist and painter, and son of the designer.

For inspiration for her work, Ms. Massalska, who works with knitted fabric at Hampshire Design, draws on Ukrainian themes of historic period and folk dress, as well as such areas further afield as architecture, music and poetry. The collection of 14 pieces of apparel was brought by the artist upon emigrating to the United States in 1991.

Among Ms. Massalska's creations, whose titles belie the subtelty of their design, are such pieces as "Chervona Kalyna," a recreation of a traditional Ukrainian costume in a machined-knit design; a knitted dress with blue and gold yarn incorporating the trident design down the front and back with large full sleeves and a headdress resembling a crown; and a slim tube of a dress, with red and gold flames woven into the bodice with dark bat wing sleeves.

"Oranta," inspired by the mosaic in Kyiv's St. Sophia Cathedral, has auburn, gold and blue bands interwoven with metallic threads, with the same color scheme woven into a geometric design in the v-shaped plastron collar and vertical center band. The piece also has a headdress woven of gold metallic wool, evocative of a halo.

The fashion show was accompanied by a luncheon prepared by the Sisterhood of St. Andrew's Orthodox Church. The hall was decorated by UNWLA branch members to reflect the deep, rich colors of fall folliage, set off dramatically with large bouquets of chrysanthemums.

Modelling the extravagant and dramatic apparel were Renata Bokalo, Christine D'Agostino, Solomiya Fedyna, Kelly Goodwin, Natalka Hutsul, Natalie Lyszyk, Aleksa Milanytch, Christina Ratycz, Marina Shapovalenko and Deanna Stawnychy.

The fashion program and flyer were designed by Ms. Massalska's son, Mr. Poteryaylo.

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A graphic artist and painter, Mr. Poteryaylo began his studies in Kyiv at the Taras Shevchenko Republican School of Art, and at the Studio of Analytical Drawing where he studied with Nikolai Shkaraputa.

Mr. Poteryaylo earned a BFA degree from the Pratt Institute in New York in 1997, graduating with honors. As part of Pratt Institute's study abroad program, he studied at the Reitveld Academy in Amsterdam and at the International School of Graphic Arts in Venice. He is a recipient of the the Society of Illustrators Award (1994).

The artist's experience includes illustrating fiction briefs for The New York Times Book Review and illustrative work for The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. He has also worked as an animator at Jumbo Pictures (Disney TV Channel) and made a short animated opening for MTV.

Among projects in which he was engaged as a student was a painting for the annual event "Jaarverslag 95," commissioned by Casa Architecten in Amsterdam and the drawing of two maps for the New Nederland Museum in Liberty State Park in Jersey City, N.J.

Mr. Poteryaylo offered the following statement as his art credo. "The sense of discovery and the spiritualization of an artwork constitute the esssence of creativity... When the artwork exceeds the artist's expectations, when the brush or pen move spontaneously, and are at one with the artist, the feeling is one of unexpected excitement which translates into a feeling of incomparable happiness."

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