The Royal Academy in London is currently hosting an exhibition titled “In the Eye of the Storm: Modernism in Ukraine, 1900–1930s”, which sheds light on Ukraine’s vibrant avant-garde art scene in the early 20th century. The artworks on display, mostly on loan from Ukraine’s National Museum and the Museum of Theatre, Music, and Cinema of Ukraine, showcase how Ukrainian artists absorbed and reinterpreted movements like Cubism, Futurism, and Constructivism.
The exhibition presents a lesser-known version of Ukraine’s modernist painting history, emphasizing the country’s long-standing aspirations for self-determination. Artists from Ukraine, like Kazymyr Malevych (known as Kazimir Malevich) and Sonia Delaunay, played significant roles in shaping the avant-garde art scene. Malevich, born in Kyiv to a Polish family, and Delaunay, of Ukrainian origin, brought unique perspectives to their art, influenced by local folk traditions and international movements.
Apart from the well-known artists, the exhibition also highlights lesser-known figures like Alexandra Exter and Oleksander Bohomazov. Exter’s innovative works, influenced by Cubism, and Bohomazov’s geometric and colorful paintings challenge conventional artistic norms. The exhibition also features works by artists like Volodymyr Burliuk, Marko Epshtein, Tymofii Boichuk, and Kostiantyn Yeleva, showcasing a diverse range of styles and influences.
The exhibition poignantly captures a brief but significant moment in Ukraine’s art history before Stalin’s purges in the 1930s brought an end to the artistic freedom and experimentation. By rescuing this under-documented period from obscurity, “In the Eye of the Storm” pays tribute to the resilience and creativity of Ukrainian artists during a tumultuous time.
“In the Eye of the Storm: Modernism in Ukraine, 1900–1930s” is on display at the Royal Academy in London until October 13. Curated by a team of art historians and curators, the exhibition offers a unique insight into Ukraine’s avant-garde art scene and its impact on the broader art world.
