The Museum of Contemporary Art of Ukraine is currently hosting the exhibition Seasons in the Botanical Garden, presented under the museum’s ongoing project, Family Values – Family Ties. The exhibition unites the work of two artists—Larysa and Iryna Hodunova—whose creative output represents a continuation of a multi-generational artistic legacy.

A Legacy of Creativity

The Family Values – Family Ties project frequently highlights artistic dynasties, showcasing families where creativity is not merely a profession, but a philosophy of life passed down through generations. In the case of the Hodunova family, the influence of their predecessors—individuals who shaped the artistic environment and instilled a deep appreciation for nature, color, and art—is profoundly evident.

At the heart of the family’s history is the artist Oleksandr Hodunov (1916–2002), father of Larysa and grandfather of Iryna. His works are held in numerous museum collections, and his years in his studio were dedicated not only to his own practice but to mentoring young artists. It was he who taught his daughter and granddaughter to look at the world attentively, to observe nature, and to find the poetic and significant in the everyday.

Equally significant was Tetiana Hodunova (1923–2013), the artist’s wife, mother, and grandmother. Although she lacked formal art training, she possessed an exquisite sense of color and aesthetics. She provided the foundation of love, harmony, and inspiration that supported her husband, daughter, and granddaughter throughout their creative journeys.

The Artists

• Larysa Hodunova developed within this nurturing environment. A 1970 graduate of the Kyiv State Art Institute, where she studied under Tetiana Yablonska, Larysa began participating in international exhibitions in the late 1960s. A member of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine, her works are featured in museum and private collections across Ukraine, Poland, and the Vatican.

• Iryna Hodunova continues the family tradition. A 1996 graduate of the National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture, she trained in the workshop of Fedir Humeniuk. Her portfolio includes numerous exhibitions, church murals, monumental art projects, and iconography. For many years, Iryna has worked at the Kachanivka National Historical and Cultural Preserve, focusing on the restoration of artworks and historical artifacts.

The Exhibition: “Seasons in the Botanical Garden”

This new exhibition turns its gaze toward one of Kyiv’s most beloved landscapes: the Botanical Garden, which has served as a source of inspiration for both artists for many years. Their family studio, located nearby, offered them a daily opportunity to observe the shifting seasons, light, color, and mood of the natural world.

The world of flora—the blooming of spring, the lushness of summer, and the quiet stillness of winter—gains unique emotional expression in their work:

• Larysa Hodunova emphasizes mood and color, which serve as conduits for subtle emotions and a poetic perception of the moment.

• Iryna Hodunova adopts a more decorative approach, constructing images through vibrant color accents, symbolism, and depth, all informed by her extensive experience in monumental art and iconography.

Despite their differing styles, both artists are united by their devotion to the traditions of the Ukrainian school of painting, their profound respect for nature, and their ability to find beauty in seemingly ordinary things.

The Museum of Contemporary Art of Ukraine already holds a significant number of works by Larysa and Iryna Hodunova. This current exhibition serves as a testament to the richness of their creative world, the depth of their familial bonds, and the continuity of their artistic tradition.

We invite you to visit Seasons in the Botanical Garden and experience the atmosphere of inspiration, contemplation, and inner harmony captured in their work.

Would you like me to prepare a similar summary for any other exhibitions, or perhaps draft a press release based on this text?