The “Art Voyage” project of the First Private Museum of Contemporary Ukrainian Art, whose founder is the well-known philanthropist Serhiy Viktorovych Tsyupko, is setting off on the road again! As if going on summer vacation, the museum collection is once again setting a course for one of the most amazing corners of Ukraine — the Kachanivka National Historical and Cultural Preserve. Here, in the halls of the ancient estate and amidst the centuries-old park, a large-scale artistic celebration has unfolded — the exhibition “Moments of Inspiration.”
Kachanivka — a historical place of power and inspiration
This picturesque place on the banks of the Smosh River was not chosen by the best talents of our Country by accident at all. Kachanivka is a true geographical and spiritual “place of power” for the realization of the boldest creative ideas and the accumulation of inner potential of inspiration. It has been tested for more than one century that here, over the years, true artistic pearls were born — both in music and literature, and in the visual arts.
Many outstanding artists of the 19th century found their creative wings while staying in Kachanivka: Taras Shevchenko, Nikolai Gogol, Mykola Kostomarov, Mykhailo Maksymovych, Mykhailo Glinka, Marko Vovchok, Dmytro Yavornytsky, Ilya Repin, Mykola Ge, Mykhailo Shchepkin, and many other luminaries of our culture. In particular, during 1836–1838, a talented artist and student of the Academy of Arts, Vasyl Shternberg, spent his summer time at the estate. It was here that he painted his best works, for which he was later awarded high academic honors.
Today, crossing the threshold of the Kachanivka National Historical and Cultural Preserve, an amazing feeling arises: all the presented works fall into an organic atmosphere of memory, which is carefully preserved by the halls and the entire territory of the estate. This sense of belonging to historical continuity serves as a tuning fork for the level of purity of the sound of artistic works, the sincerity of those messages that museum staff take into account when selecting exhibits.
Philosophy of the collection and the mission of patronage
The collection of the Museum of Contemporary Ukrainian Art already counts more than 6,000 exhibits. It arouses huge interest in society — both among those who actively follow the artistic life of the country, and among professional researchers of specific time periods or the work of individual authors. The museum gladly shares this heritage, providing works for landmark art projects, printed publications, and with great desire forming traveling exhibitions for those who expect a personal meeting with the beautiful, feel the need to see and be inspired.
The realization of such large-scale tours as “Art Voyage” is the result of the systematic and consistent work of the museum’s founder. In its turn, the Serhiy Tsyupko Charitable Foundation gives the museum a unique opportunity to freely bring works of true art to those halls of Ukraine where they are most awaited. This is done so that as many viewers as possible could feel the unique energy of color and a talented view of the surrounding world.
The founder of the museum, collector and philanthropist Serhiy Tsyupko, outlining the strategic significance of the “Art Voyage” project, emphasizes:
«We want Ukrainian art to travel around the country, find new admirers and inspire people just as Kachanivka once inspired outstanding artists of the past. Ukrainian art is not only a reflection of time, but also a source of strength, memory, and inspiration. We are convinced that it should be as close to people as possible».
Especially sharply, the mission of culture is felt in these current times of trials. Despite external circumstances, artistic initiatives continue to give people psychological support and hope. As Serhiy Tsyupko notes:
«During the war, such actions carry kindness, beauty, and pieces of our ordinary peaceful life into the soul. Support for culture is a contribution to the future. After all, art forms an environment in which values are preserved, ideas are born, and the connection between generations is strengthened».
“Moments of Inspiration”: The Golden Fund of Ukrainian painting
The exhibition “Moments of Inspiration” is formed by iconic, loud names of artists, whose artistic search and unique worldview open their embraces to the viewer. In these halls, the Museum continues to introduce visitors to the creative heritage of already known masters, while at the same time significantly expanding the circle of new authors. We truly have something to be proud of — the names selected for the exhibition have rightfully entered the Golden Fund of domestic painting.
Traveling through the exhibition, the viewer can feel the entire multifaceted nature of our culture: from the academic poise and intellectual depth of Kyiv or Kharkiv to the explosive Transcarpathian color, the sunny Crimean warmth, and the bold Lviv experiments with form. All these authors are incredibly different, and each of them represents a separate artistic universe. However here, under one roof, their identities merge into a single, powerful, and indivisible national symphony, which reflects the strength and harmony of our common culture.
Space for silence and inner dialogue
Museum staff know that each painting in the exhibition is an object of individual examination, a quiet dialogue, a barely perceptible, but extremely deep personal emotional contact of the viewer with the authors. The exhibition “Moments of Inspiration” acts as a manifestation of the highest note of creative ascent, as a pure and bright positive message to society. It subtly refers us to the moments of the past, to those fragile and refined fragments from which the strong life chain of each person is subsequently fused.
We sincerely hope that the created exhibition will give each visitor a powerful impulse for reflection, will add bright colors, light, and warm emotions to our complex present.
We invite all residents and guests of the Chernihiv region to visit the Kachanivka National Historical and Cultural Preserve, in order to see the masterpieces of Ukrainian painting with their own eyes, enjoy the unique synergistic effect of history and contemporary art, and find your own, unique moments of inspiration!