The Museum of Kyiv History, the National Bank of Ukraine, and the national postal operator “Ukrposhta” have joined forces for the first time to present a large-scale exhibition project dedicated to the 32nd anniversary of Ukraine’s independence.

“My Story. 32 Years of Independence” is a unique exhibition project in which the central idea brings together, in a single exhibition space, 32 art objects by prominent contemporary Ukrainian artists, as well as a collection of coins and stamps representing each year of Ukraine’s independence. As symbols of statehood and visual representations of key milestones in Ukrainian independence, they speak as if Ukraine itself is telling the story.

The Money Museum of the National Bank of Ukraine provided coins for display at the exhibition, each representing one year in the life of independent Ukraine. Money serves as an important source of information about significant historical events, national traditions, and the culture of the country. Nearly every year of Ukraine’s journey as an independent and sovereign state has been recorded in metal through the numismatic program initiated by the National Bank almost 30 years ago to commemorate anniversary and historical dates.

Particular attention is drawn to the artworks selected from private collections and museum holdings, many of which have never been publicly seen before. The variety of artistic forms is striking: painting, sculpture, decorative arts, photography, video, and art installations are all represented. Each year of independence is illustrated with works by Nazar Bilyk, Volodymyr Budnikov, Matvii Vaisberg, Viktor Volodko, Oleksandr Hnylytskyi, Oleh Holosi, Oleksandr Dubovyk, Oleksandr Zhyvotkov, Yehor Zhigura, Nikita Kadan, Nataliia Korf-Ivaniuk, Anatolii Kryvolap, Pavlo Makov, Maksym Mamsikov, Ivan Marchuk, Nataliia Masik, Mykola Matsenko, Roman Minin, Mykola Novikov, Vinni Reunov, Oleksandr Roitburd, Stapan Riabchenko, Arsen Savadov, Oleksii Sai, Viktor Sydorenko, Yurii Solomko, Oleksandr Sukholit, Tiberii Silvashi, Oleh Tistol, Oksana Chepelyk, Illia Chichkan, Vladyslav Shereshevskyi, and Oleh Shupliak.

The historical, artistic, and educational dimension of the project is further enhanced by stamps provided by the national postal operator. Postage stamps have always served as a platform for documenting historical events, cultural achievements, legendary heroes, and iconic images. Ukrposhta’s wartime stamps generate significant interest not only in Ukraine but also worldwide.

There are no random works in this project, as each of them, in one way or another, resonates with the historical events that took place in the country and serves as evidence of the development and formation of our state on the path to independence. “By telling the story of Ukraine’s independence, we want every visitor to the exhibition to emotionally experience what Ukraine has lived through over 32 years, to feel connected to our past and present, and, most importantly, to feel a shared responsibility for our future,” — note the project curators.

General Partner: ZP Law Office of Zoriana Pelekh
Co-organizers: Ukrposhta, National Bank of Ukraine
Experts: Ihor Abramovych, Olesia Avramenko, Yurii Komelkov, Stanislav Skoryk, Vladyslav Vakulenko, Oleksandr Soloviov
Works provided from the collections of: Ukrposhta, National Art Museum of Ukraine, National Museum of the Revolution of Dignity, Money Museum of the National Bank of Ukraine, Institute of Contemporary Art Problems of the National Academy of Arts of Ukraine, Abramovych Foundation, Stedley Art Foundation, Grynyov Art Collection, Vakulenko Art Consulting, Stanislav Skoryk, Valerii Mishchenko, Andrii Kratiuk, Artur Umanskyi, Art Foundation “Dukat,” Volodymyr Taran, Oleh Shupliak, and Nataliia Masik

Exhibition design: Kateryna Kostenko