In the Eye of the Storm - Modernism in Ukraine, 1900–1930s at the Royal Academy of Arts, London
The Ukrainian Modernist of the early 20th-century movement is a significant era in terms of the development of Ukrainian art and the global art world in general.
The Ukrainian Modernist of the early 20th-century movement is a significant era in terms of the development of Ukrainian art and the global art world in general.
Some of the most revered examples of Ukrainian Modernist artworks will be on display at the Royal Academy of Arts, London from the 29th of June to the 13th of October 2024.
In the Eye of the Storm – A Uniquely Important Exhibition for Our Times
The exhibition's groundbreaking works in were produced against a backdrop of major historical events. The artists created works during the First World War, the fall of the Russian Empire, a short period of Ukrainian independence, and finally up until the formation of the Soviet Union. With the advent of Stalinism in the 1930s and the associated brutal Communist repression, the Ukrainian Modernist movement was halted. Despite being almost unknown in the West, the innovative creativity of the early Ukrainian Modernist period marks an important chapter in the development of European modernism.
The diversity of styles and the historical nature of past and current events make this one of the most important and unique exhibitions currently on display.
The exhibition reflects the turbulent nature of the times and contains a wide range of styles including figurative art, Jugenstil, futurism, and constructivism. It is the most comprehensive collection of modern Ukrainian art to be shown outside of Ukraine.
There are 65 artworks comprising sketches, oil paintings, collages, and even theatre design. The exhibition includes works from prominent, internationally recognised artists such as Kazimir Malevych, El Lissitzky, Alexandra Exter and Sonia Delaunay. There are also pieces from painters who are not as well known outside of their home country but had a major impact on the cultural life of Ukraine at the time.
Many of the artworks in the collection are on loan from the Museum of Theatre, Music and Cinema of Ukraine in Kyiv, the National Art Museum of Ukraine, and the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza. Several have not been seen by the public until now. A detailed catalogue accompanies the exhibition, written by twelve internationally acclaimed art scholars including contributors from the National Art Museum of Ukraine.
Protecting the Global Legacy of Ukrainian Modernism
The goal of the In the Eye of the Storm exhibition is not just to spread awareness of the vibrancy and importance of early 20th-century Ukrainian Modernism. The exhibition also serves to protect these artworks from the ravages of the current war between Russia and Ukraine. Works in the exhibition were secretly transported from Kyiv to Spain in the last months of 2022 just before the Ukrainian capital experienced heavy bombing. Before reaching the Polish border, the convoy of artworks came under heavy rocket fire. To date, the In the Eye of the Storm exhibition represents the largest legal transportation of artwork from a country in the midst of war.
In the Eye of the Storm at the Royal Academy of Arts, London - Exhibition Details
The In the Eye of the Storm exhibition is open for public viewing at the Gabrielle Jungels-Winkler Galleries at Burlington Gardens in the Royal Academy of Arts, London. The exhibition runs from the 29th of June to the 13th of October 2024. Tickets are £17.00 for adults with a donation and £11.00 for concession holders. Entry is free for children under 16 years of age.
