Upcoming Exhibitions

9 May – 17 August 2025

The influence of Ukrainian folk art on Ukrainian modernism in the early 20th century was profound and far-reaching. With its vibrant colors, geometric patterns, and unique symbols, Ukrainian folk art played a significant role in shaping the artistic movements of the early 20th century, particularly the work of many Ukrainian artists. 

The avant-garde artists of the early 20th century sought to break away from traditional artistic conventions and explore new forms of expression. They were inspired by the simplicity and authenticity of Ukrainian folk art, which had its creative roots in domestic settings within small villages across the country and was seen as a reflection of the soul of the Ukrainian people. Folk art’s bright colors and bold patterns influenced avant-garde artists to experiment with new techniques and styles, leading to the development of innovative and groundbreaking artworks.

One of the key figures in the Ukrainian avant-garde movement was Kazimir Malevich, a painter and art theorist who is best known for his pioneering work in abstract art. Malevich was deeply influenced by Ukrainian folk art, particularly the traditional embroideries and textiles that he encountered in his homeland. He incorporated elements of folk art into his own work, creating abstract compositions that were both avant-garde and rooted in Ukrainian artistic traditions.

Another artist who was influenced by Ukrainian folk art was Alexandra Exter, a painter and designer who was renowned for her avant-garde theater sets and costumes. Exter drew inspiration from Ukrainian folk motifs and symbols, incorporating them into her avant-garde designs to create visually striking and innovative works of art.

The impact of Ukrainian folk art resonated across all the major cities of Ukraine, including Kharkiv, where artist Vasyl Yermylov used the iconography and many of the hand-crafted objects as a basis for his work — both art and graphic design. He instilled his theories and influences in students at the National Art Institute, where he taught for many years. This made Kharkiv a leading design epicenter for the country.

The influence of Ukrainian folk art on the Ukrainian avant-garde in the early 20th century was transformative, shaping the development of new artistic movements and pushing the boundaries of artistic expression, inspiring avant-garde artists to create innovative and groundbreaking works that continue to resonate to this day.

6 February 2025 – 27 April 2025

The Ukrainian Museum New York is pleased to announce the inaugural solo exhibition of Vladimir Tatlin’s work in North America, entitled Tatlin: Kyiv, running from 6th February – 27th April 2025. 

Vladimir Tatlin (Ukrainian: Volodymyr), the prominent avant-garde artist and founder of Constructivism, was born in Kharkiv, Ukraine, and lived and worked in Kyiv from 1925 until 1927. This pioneering exhibition will recreate the artist’s Kyiv studio and chronicle the work made during this period within the museum space, depicting the actual environment in which his art was conceived and created for the very first time. Tatlin: Kyiv will serve as an educational catalyst for the decolonization of Ukrainian art through the lens of Tatlin’s work, contributing to the preservation of Ukrainian history and cultural discourse.  

Tatlin’s illustration and design work with local Kyiv journals, book publishers, and theatre productions will also be highlighted for the first time. Additionally, the work of artists who studied under Tatlin at the Kyiv Institute of Art, where he taught a multi-disciplinary class that combined sculpture, film, and photography, will be on show. Tatlin: Kyiv will reexamine a major gap in the discourse of art history to include Tatlin’s work of the late 1920s.