Category: Works
Stop the villains… 2022
30х26 cm.
Acrylic



«Give me a thousand years – I will paint the sky and I will not repeat myself!». Ivan Marchuk
This is the truth. Unique and profound in his genius, the Ukrainian Ivan Marchuk and his work, which was specially created for the «ArtArmor» project. This is a unique self-portrait of the artist, which is created with an exceptional technique of applying acrylic on fabric. The work is made on the reverse side of the armor plate, which makes it even more extraordinary in our collection. Еntanglement of thread strokes of different thicknesses creates at first glance a quite simple, but at the same time deep and light image. White on black grabs attention and pierces into the heart, reminding of the radiance of goodness that carries the image of a Ukrainian warrior. This light protects the truth and dispels the darkness of evil. The spirituality of Ukraine, its national art, the living genius of which is Ivan Marchuk, is a symbol of the national spiritual shield. Therefore, the work of «Stop the villains…» is armor within the armor, a synergy of the unity of the spiritual and the material – an artistic talisman and armor plate.
Ivan Marchuk (born in 1936) — contemporary Ukrainian artist, Honored Artist of Ukraine, laureate of the Shevchenko National Prize, and member of the Golden Guild of The International Academy of Contemporary Art in Rome.
The British newspaper The Daily Telegraph ranked him as one of the Top 100 living geniuses (72nd place) in 2007.
In 2016, he was awarded the Order of Freedom for his significant personal contribution to state building, socio-economic, scientific-technical, and cultural-educational development of Ukraine, significant labor achievements, and high professionalism.
The artist created more than 5000 paintings. For half a century of creative activity, he had more than 150 monographic and 50 collective exhibitions. His works are in museums on five continents.
Arch-strategist Michael. 2022
30х26 cm.
Tempera

«Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down – that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.» (Revelation 12:7-9).
The icon «Archangel Mihail» is written on the armor plate and is a symbol of the victory of the Ukrainian army over the enemy. Just as Michael, the most important of the angels, defeats the ancient serpent, so our people will overcome universal evil. Its creators put this kind of symbolism into this work. The «ArtArmor» project presents for the first time an icon written on an armor plate that stopped enemy bullets. Faith that strengthens the spirit is also armor, it protects and saves our Heroes.
Bright deeds are blessed by heaven, believers say. It was possible to create an icon in a week and a half! These are record terms. The image of Archstrategist Michael was chosen from among others quickly and, apparently, not by chance! As if by chance, already in the process of work, interesting ideas, details, and additions to the icon appeared. One of them is the flame that comes from the dragon’s mouth… And it is in this mouth that Archstrategist Michael hit with a spear.
Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine His Beatitude Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine Epiphaniy. Archbishop of Rivne and Ostroh Hilarion. Iconographer Andriy Okhotsky — The icon «Archangel Myhail» was created with the blessing of the Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine Epiphaniy, the Head of the unified Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Taking part in the «ArtArmor» project, His Beatitude once again emphasized that today is the time of the newest warrior-heroes who stood up for the truth and Homeland. Our defenders are on the side of good, which means that the darkness will not be able to conquer them.
The Primate remarks: «With prayer, with love for God, for Ukraine, for our neighbors, let’s fight against evil and we will see the victory!».
The Archbishop of Rivne and Ostroh Hilarion also contributed to the creation of the icon «Archangel Myhail».
Bronnik*. 2022.
* Short slang name of Bulletproof Vest in Ukrainian.
25х29х1,5 cm.
Plastic, armed plate, acrylic.

Rich fields, which Ukraine is known for, turned into battlefields during the war. Wheat and shells, rapeseed and rockets, tractors, and tanks. These surreal stories have become a shocking commonplace. Our native land has become a bulletproof vest. The combination of incredible beauty and painful horror hurts the very heart. The heart of the fighter, which is protected by the bulletproof vest. Wounds of the earth are just like wounds on the human body, they hurt, they ache, and they need care and protection. May the incredible Ukrainian landscapes become peaceful as soon as possible.
Tiberiy Szilvashi (born in 1947) is one of the iconic artists of contemporary Ukrainian art. Laureate of the Taras Shevchenko National Prize of Ukraine in 2022.
Abstract artist, theoretician of “color painting”, art curator, co-founder, and ideologist of the association of the art group “Painting Reserve” and several other Ukrainian and international art groups, whose works significantly influenced the development of the art movement.
Szilvashi’s art pieces adorn the numerous museum collections in Munich, Vienna, New Jersey, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, Uzhgorod, and Kyiv, as well as private collections in Europe and the USA. Lives and works in Kyiv.
Untitled. 2022.
25х30х2 cm.
Composite plate, mixed media.

Even after the darkest night comes the dawn. This truth is as undeniable as the complete harmony of black and white colors, which the artist uses to create his art object. This laconic yet eloquent work reminds us that everyone’s contribution is important. Behind every armor plate, behind every soldier, behind every Ukrainian stands Ukraine. We are all one, everyone is a part of a whole independent Ukraine, a free democratic world. This essence is unbreakable, like a harmonious union of black and white colors.
Oleksii Sai (born in 1975) is a contemporary Ukrainian artist who works with various media, however, he is most recognized for his original invention – the practice of Excel-Art.
He graduated from the Kyiv Art and Industrial Technical School with a major in graphic design and the National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture. PinchukArtCentre award nominee in 2009. The artist conducts active exhibition activities in Ukraine and abroad. The artist’s works were exhibited in Black Square Gallery (USA), Saatchi Gallery (Great Britain), Bunsen Goertz Gallery (Germany) and others.
Protect!. 2022.
30х26 cm.
Metal, acrylic.

The laconic painting of Leonid Kolodnytskyi makes the work understandable without words. The artist works quickly and clearly as if succumbing to an uncontrollable impulse coming from within.
The letters scattered on the canvas are connected ornately by a line that, wandering over the surface of the plate, paves the way to the heart of a warrior, to the heart of Ukraine, to a heart pulsating with freedom and love. This line guides our sight and prompts an impulse of unification, a manifestation of collective strength and resilience. Protect!
Leonid Kolodnytskyi (born in 1961) is a Ukrainian artist. In 1992, he graduated from the Kharkiv Academy of Design and Arts (department of monumental and decorative painting). He is also a professional artist-restorer and has been working at the Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv for more than 10 years. The artist’s works are a part of private collections in Ukraine and abroad.
In recent years, Leonid Kolodnytskyi’s painting has tended towards abstract expressionism. The artist’s skillful ability to use the plastic possibilities of lines helped him create multi-plot compositions, in each of which the harmonization of the internal space is important.
An Angel That Steps Over an Explosion. 2022.
45х45 cm.
Canvas, armed plate, paper, mixed media.



The angel that steps over an explosion is like an invisible image of a protector, sent to guard and protect every Ukrainian on his land.
Classic museum frames, which partially frame the work, seem to record the long historical heritage of Ukraine, and the laconic contemporary subframe opens the way to the creation of recent history and the future of the modern country. Together, they form a space for rethinking our identity, values, and vision of the future. Where everything will be Ukraine, for sure!
Anton Logov (born in 1984) is a Ukrainian artist who works with painting, graphics, sculpture, video art, and installation. He graduated from the Odesa Art School and the National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture. Since 2008, he participated in many exhibitions in Ukraine and abroad, and his works were the part of many important exhibition projects of Ukrainian contemporary art. Mr. Logov is the winner of the OBJECTS art prize 2020 young artists competition. He lives and works in Kyiv.
Untitled. 2022.
25х30х2 cm.
Ceramic plate, mixed media.

The artist didn’t name this art object. Therefore she gave us space for perceiving and understanding her work. Through the roughly torn holes of the damaged armor plate, we can see delicate fragile flowers.
Flowers are living beings, gifted to us by nature. They are here to adorn our lives, to give happiness, aroma, and colors. We invest our love, care, and tenderness in them. And then we pass it to our dear and loved ones. Flowers are a symbol of hope, celebration, and continuation of life, just like the armor plates that protect the lives of soldiers.
Svitlana Ratoshniuk (born in 1975) is a contemporary Ukrainian artist working with textiles. She graduated from the Kyiv Art and Industrial Technical School with a major in graphic design.
In her artistic practice, she combines her passion for textiles, ancient Ukrainian embroideries, Indian woven products, and a rich professional and personal background, creating incredible expressive paintings and objects from textiles.
The artist is a participant in many art exhibitions in Ukraine and Europe.
Untitled. 2022.
25х30х2 cm.
Metal, gas burner, sand.

Let’s pay attention to the important things! A target burned by fire seems to hypnotize and draws all attention to itself. The colors of the blue cloudless sky overhead and the scorched earth coexisting nearby – this is the dramatic reality of Ukraine today.
But the protagonist of this object is a laconic crater from a shot. The artist seems to indicate to us that there are no little things, everything matters. What may seem like a small harm spreads like a circle on water, forming a potential tragedy for humanity. Attention is the most valuable currency of modern society. Let’s pay attention to save lives.
Nazar Bilyk (born in 1979) is a famous Ukrainian sculptor, author of artworks in public space. His works are recognized all over the world. He participated in numerous exhibitions, biennales, art fairs and key art auctions abroad (USA, Europe) and in Ukraine. His works adorn many international and Ukrainian private collections. In the public space, Bilyk’s sculptures are presented in Kyiv, Les Jardins d’Etretat, France, San Martin de Tor, Italy, etc. He graduated from the Kyiv Institute of Decorative and Applied Arts and Design named after M. Boychuk and the National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture. In 2008, he became a postgraduate student of the creative workshops of the National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture.
Lives and works in Kyiv.
A Letter. 2022.
61х53 cm.
Armed plate, enamel, acrylic, author’s technique.


“I really dream of playing with friends under a peaceful sky. Come back home healthy and victorious!”
Each armor plate lives its life, protecting the life of a fighter.
It preserves the history of the past and protects the history of the future. Children, our future, the future of Ukraine are an object of protection and a support at the same time, a source of inspiration for stability and strength. Their hearts beat in time with the hearts of fighters and the heart of Ukraine.
If only combat were as illusory as a child’s imagination in the pictures in the school album.
A letter to soldiers at the front, written by a child’s hand, is a talisman that supports the chain of priceless communication between “warrior” and “home”. Let’s help keep this connection together!
Andrii Bludov (born in 1962) is a Ukrainian artist, known for his recognizable author’s style, Honored Worker of Arts of Ukraine, professor of painting at the National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture.
Works in the field of painting, graphics and video. The artist’s works combine elements of mythology, surrealism and avant-garde. Since 1988, he has had numerous exhibitions in Ukraine, the USA, Europe and Asia. The artist’s works are included in the collections of important Ukrainian museum institutions and private collections in Ukraine, Switzerland, Belgium, the USA, the Netherlands, Austria, France, Spain.
The Integral. 2022.
25х30х2 cm, 55х45 cm.
Сeramic plate, acrylic, oil on сanvas.





“At certain moments, you get the opportunity to feel and understand the greatness of the people who are nearby. On the front line, but nearby», — Petro Bevza.
Like white peregrine falcons, Ukrainian soldiers demonstrate the irresistible strength of spirit that lives in their big hearts. Their intentions are pure, and the indestructible soul revives and heads for a bright future.
The artist’s dialogue between the used armor plate and the painting is a conversation between creative power and cruelty, destruction. It is a certain reflection of the common Ukrainian existence. Genesis of Victory, War and Love, Unity, Freedom, Struggle and Victory. The warrior and all participants in creation fill each other with the victorious energy of life and freedom.
Petro Bevza (born in 1963) is a Ukrainian artist, and sculptor. Author of ideas, co-curator, and participant in many art projects in Ukraine, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Sweden, Germany, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Poland, USA, Canada.
The artist professes the principle “art is all around us” and affirms that true art is born from love.
Mr. Bevza is the recipient of many awards in the artistic field. His works are included in the collections of key Ukrainian museum institutions, in particular, the National Art Museum of Ukraine, the Kyiv National Art Gallery, and many others, and are also in private Ukrainian and international collections.