The Museum of Kyiv History is hosting the project Ukrainian Avant-Garde. Evolution. Collection Expansion 3.0, which marks the first exhibition in the officially established Museum of Avant-Garde and the third exhibition since the beginning of the collection of Ukrainian avant-garde art.

On November 12, 2024, an important and symbolic event took place for the entire art community of Ukraine – by the order of the Head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, the Museum of Avant-Garde was created as part of the Museum of Kyiv History, becoming its tenth branch.

“From the idea to the creation of the new museum, less than two years have passed, and in this time much has already been accomplished – research and archival work within the museum’s collections, organization and presentation of three exhibitions Ukrainian Avant-Garde. Evolution. Collection Expansion, and preparation and release of two catalogs. Special mention should be made of the valuable collaboration with collectors and artists – to date, 145 unique works of Ukrainian avant-garde art have been donated,” emphasizes Diana Popova, General Director of the Museum of Kyiv History.

Over 50 unique exhibits are being presented to visitors in the exhibition Ukrainian Avant-Garde. Evolution. Collection Expansion 3.0, including works by both world-renowned stars of classical avant-garde and their followers – Kostiantyn Piskorsky, Vasyl Krychevskyi, Oleksandr Khvostenko-Khvostov, Oksana Pavlenko, Khana Orlova, Oleksii Vladimirov, Hanna Kryvolap, Volodymyr Veshtak, Roman Zhuk, Oleh Tistol, and Maryna Skugaryova.

A particularly symbolic and valuable work in the exhibition Ukrainian Avant-Garde. Evolution. Collection Expansion 3.0 is Oleksandr Arkhypenko’s sculpture Seated Woman, generously donated by collector Ihor Voronov.

Particular attention is drawn to representatives of the classical avant-garde from the collections of the Museum of Kyiv History – Viktor Artemtsev and Heorhii Petrash, whose works have enriched the Museum of Avant-Garde’s collection and will become highlights of the exhibition. Notably, Viktor Artemtsev’s Portrait of T. H. Shevchenko holds exceptional significance, as it is the first known work dedicated to the Kobzar executed in avant-garde technique and created during the classical avant-garde period.

“The work of studying and promoting Ukrainian avant-garde continues – we keep searching for, preserving, publishing, and exhibiting works by Ukrainian artists, securing Ukraine’s reputation as a center of avant-garde. The Museum of Avant-Garde is an ambitious project with every chance of becoming the most powerful museum in the country,” emphasized Yurii Komelkov, initiator and visionary behind the creation of the Museum of Avant-Garde.