A special exhibition of Ukrainian Art will be celebrated at An Grianan Theatre Letterkenny on Friday 2nd of June.
The exhibition ‘Ireland Through the Eyes of Ukrainian Artists’ will be officially opened by Larysa Gerasko, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Ireland, and by Cathaoirleach of Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District, Cllr. Donal Mandy Kelly.
Launch: 2nd June 2pm An Grianan Theatre Letterkenny
Duration: An Grianán Theatre foyer – 2nd of June to 30th of June 2023
The exhibition will feature a range of wonderful works by more than 20 artists who are from Ukraine and now resident in Ireland. The works reflect the creative process of the painters who are adjusting and acclimatizing to life in this country against the backdrop of war and displacement.
The artists are both amateur and professional, some having never exhibited in public before, but they hope the various works in acrylics, oils, pastels and mixed media will speak to their lived experiences, their impressions of Ireland’s landscape and people and their adjustment to enormous personal change and challenges. The artists draw inspiration from the landscape, from the climate, the people – charting how all of these influences impact on them as creative people.
All of the works on display are for sale and all of the proceeds will go to the painters directly themselves and some are donating part of their proceeds to support children’s creative programmes back in Ukraine.
Exhibition curator Svitlana Babenko says “Ukrainian artists want to speak to Irish people through their work, about the effect that Ireland has on them, and how they are adjusting here and how they are inspired and encouraged to express themselves through painting”
Svitlana also explained that there will be a fundraising concert of Irish and Ukrainian cultural expression – Irish dance and Ukrainian dance – made all the more poignant as they will be performed by young people – and June 1st is international Children’s day. There will also be performances by local and Ukrainian musicians to accompany the cultural programme.
This will also be a sharing of cultures and creative expression and a real opportunity to enjoy an intercultural experience.
Light refreshments will be served for the launch event.
The exhibition runs until 30th of June and is supported by Donegal Intercultural Platform, Ukrainian Community Support in Letterkenny, the Arts office of Donegal County Council, and An Grianán Theatre.
