Zenon Holubec to be featured artist at Yonkers event

by Olga Rudyk

YONKERS, N.Y. - The work of noted artist Zenon Holubec of Glen Spey, N.Y., will be featured in an art exhibit organized by members of the Ukrainian National Women's League of America (UNWLA), Branch 30, to be held during the branch's annual Christmas bazaar on Sunday, December 14, at St. Michael's Ukrainian Catholic Church Hall, 21 Shonnard Place, at 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Members of the UNWLA in this large Ukrainian community in Westchester County have always been intent on promoting, as part of their work, Ukrainian artists both within the community and in the county, providing additional exposure both for the artist and to richness of Ukrainian culture. Special emphasis is also placed on drawing younger generations of Ukrainian Americans to such events.

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Zenon Holubec is perhaps best-known for his bas-relief sculptures in wood, which are characterized by flexible linearity and emphasis on composition.

In writing of his work, Christina Welyhorsky-Senkiw notes that "The art of Zenon Holubec epitomizes the dichotomy inherent in the works of artists with dual cultural roots ... his love for historical and literary themes, his lyricism and mystical attachment to nature, his perpetuation of icon art - are hallmarks of a traditional Ukrainian romantic sensibility... . On the other hand, ... his intense interest in the formal and material elements of his work is characteristic of modern 20th century art. By blending these two artistic traditions intelligently, Zenon Holubec successfully resolves the tensions of cultural duality and presents us [with] an exhibit of original, highly professional work."

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Mr. Holubec was born in 1927 into the family of Mykola Holubec, art scholar, writer and journalist - one of the leading historians of Ukrainian art and commentator on artistic life in Galicia, or western Ukraine.

As a post-war refugee, he entered the University of Innsbruck in Austria to study architecture and fine arts. Upon immigrating to the United States, he enrolled at the Art Institute of Chicago from which he graduated in 1958, having specialized in interior design. Subsequently, Mr. Holubec taught design at Chicago's International Academy. Since 1970, his work has been devoted to sculpture, especially low-relief.

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Taking part in the Christmas art exhibit and bazaar will be a native Yonkers artist, Nancy Zakotiria. A young artist with an eye for color, design and fashion, Ms. Zakotiria will display various fine works of art, including Christmas ornaments, hand-made crafts, ceramics and jewelry.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, December 7, 2003, No. 49, Vol. LXXI

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