A major exhibition of Petrykivka painting – a distinctive Ukrainian folk art form recognised by UNESCO as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage – has opened at the Dnipro Art Museum. The exhibition, titled “Defending Identity”, is dedicated to this unique tradition and its place in modern Ukrainian culture.
The show spans four galleries and features the work of leading masters of the craft: Andrii and Mariia Pikush, Nataliia Rybak, and Valentyna Karpets-Yermolaieva. This year, all four were awarded the prestigious Taras Shevchenko National Prize, Ukraine’s highest cultural honour. Their award-winning project was first presented in Kyiv, and now their fellow townspeople can see it in Dnipro – fittingly, as the village of Petrykivka itself lies in the Dnipropetrovsk region.
“The exhibition includes around a hundred works,” explains Andrii Pikush, People’s Artist of Ukraine and honoured master of folk art. “Each gallery is dedicated to a particular artist. Personally, I have over thirty works on display – mostly recent pieces, though some are older. Alongside works on paper, I’ve also shown glass paintings. This material is new for Petrykivka, and it offers great potential. Of course, such experiments require proper resources – kilns, high-quality materials – which makes them challenging, but I see real prospects. Petrykivka painting has always been alive and adaptable. Today we must prove that the tradition can continue to evolve and inspire.”
The exhibition does more than showcase the beauty of traditional floral and bird motifs. It also explores the future of Petrykivka painting – a living art that embraces new materials, forms, and technologies. For example, Pikush experiments with combining classic ornamentation with modern techniques, creating artworks that express Ukrainian identity in a contemporary artistic language. His recurring bird imagery – roosters, doves, mother birds with chicks – is especially symbolic.
Mariia Pikush is renowned for her exquisite floral compositions, from dazzling Cockscombs and Asters to the delicate charm of Thistles.
Valentyna Karpets-Yermolaieva paints romantic visions of rural life, such as Summer Joy, Peacocks in a Starry Shower, and The Four Seasons.
Meanwhile, Nataliia Rybak surprises viewers with works like The Ukrainian Lion and a series of beautifully decorated wooden plates, painted in a traditional under-lacquer technique.
This diversity of approaches means the exhibition feels less like an ethnographic showcase and more like a conversation about the future of Ukrainian culture. From classical decorative panels to bold contemporary reinterpretations, visitors encounter both deep historical continuity and daring innovation. The message is clear: cultural identity is best preserved not by freezing tradition in time, but by ensuring it continues to grow and live.
“The exhibition is very important for all of us,” shares Andrii Pikush. “It shows that Petrykivka painting is not the past, but the present and the future. In a way, we are reporting back to our people, and that matters especially in these difficult times. The museum is also planning lectures and workshops, and I’m ready to take part. Our duty is to pass on both the knowledge and the love of this art to future generations. Only then can we truly defend our cultural identity.”
The exhibition will be open to the public at the end of September 2025.
Text by Yulianna Kokoshko
Photography by Valerii Kravchenko and the Dnipro Art Museum archive
