Current Exhibit: Dumy moї - My Thoughts: Taras Shevchenko, the Ukrainian Diaspora and the Ongoing War in Ukraine
28 February 2024
Multi-media Exhibit Co-curated by
Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn, PhD
Kule Chair in Ukrainian Ethnography
Dmytro Yesypenko, PhD Student
Kule Chair in Ukrainian Ethnography
Dmytro Yesypenko, PhD Student
This exhibit is postponed due to the EPL strike closure. Follow our social media for updates.
March 3 - April 7, 2024
Stanley A. Milner Library (Downtown) - 7 Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton
Taras Shevchenko (1814–1861) is one of the most prominent and influential figures in Ukrainian culture and history. During his lifetime, he was recognized as the author of literary classics, notably the iconic poetry collection Kobzar (Minstrel, 1840). A poetic genius, Shevchenko also became an outstanding painter. His oeuvre is considered to be the prime exemplar of the Ukrainian spirit.
This exhibition, named after Shevchenko’s famous poem “Dumy moї” (My Thoughts), aims to present the timeless significance of the poet’s messages and the artistic imagery of this true national Kulturträger. The multi-media installation explores the phenomenon of admiration for Shevchenko and how his legacy speaks volumes about Ukrainians themselves. Four digital screens display images and accompanying explanatory texts in respective thematic streams.
Dumy moї - My Thoughts exhibition covers a spectrum of emotions from tragedy and sadness, to humour, empathy, resilience and the unconquerable Ukrainian spirit, admired by the whole world today.
This exhibition, named after Shevchenko’s famous poem “Dumy moї” (My Thoughts), aims to present the timeless significance of the poet’s messages and the artistic imagery of this true national Kulturträger. The multi-media installation explores the phenomenon of admiration for Shevchenko and how his legacy speaks volumes about Ukrainians themselves. Four digital screens display images and accompanying explanatory texts in respective thematic streams.
Dumy moї - My Thoughts exhibition covers a spectrum of emotions from tragedy and sadness, to humour, empathy, resilience and the unconquerable Ukrainian spirit, admired by the whole world today.
Curator's Talk with Dmytro Yesypenko: March 25th - 6 PM
Dmytro will explain the exhibition concept and briefly introduce the thematic streams presented on four multimedia displays: "Who is Mr. Shevchenko?," "Shevchenko and the Ukrainian Diaspora," "Shevchenko Commemorative Bookmarks" (Project of the Shevchenko Foundation), and "Shevchenko and the War." The main focus will be on the latter theme, the features of Shevchenko's portrayal in contemporary Ukrainian visual arts, and the roles assigned to the writer in war conditions.
Join us to explore this multimedia exhibit, at the Stanley A. Milner Library from March 3 - April 7, 2024.
Image credit: Yuriy Shapoval. Mobilization. From the series "Hryhorovych". 2015. @shapovalyura