“The Last Supper” with penguins

This exhibition is joyful, sometimes even mischievous. On Les Panchyshyn’s paintings, flamingos, elephants, and penguins look as though they are dancing; if they were people, we would say that they enjoy life. As explained by the organizers, the artist uses bright saturated colors to convey a feeling of global warming in emotions and sentiments. On the other hand, you cannot help thinking about those carefree animals on Panchyshyn’s pictures that often become victims of disasters, which are brought about by humans’ irresponsible behavior.

Bohdan Kukharsky’s sculpture contrasts with this variety of colors, referring to the idea of constant movement in the universe, through which everything changes. In fact, the artists perceive global warming as a synonym to change – not only climate change, but such change that would lead a person to a different perception of the world and of themselves. The exhibition is hosted at Unlimited Art Foundation in Kyiv.

“I just began drawing what I like. First of all, things I have never seen with my own eyes – flamingos and penguins,” Panchyshyn tells the story of the project. “Also, I like the contrast, and there is plenty of it. Warmth here and coldness there, I am using red and blue colors. I created several works and then thought that I should pick a theme, and that was the way it all took shape. I try to draw animals in different moods, like people. This project even features a work entitled The Last Supper, the characters of which are penguins.”

By the way, although Les Panchyshyn has always wanted to be a painter, he studied ceramics in the art college. “I joined the ceramics program to be able to do more. I am also making videos, by the way. I do like it when a person knows many things,” says the artist. “The ceramics program had very interesting classes in composition, and this training has given me a lot. My thesis on ceramics was called ‘The Power of Personality.’ I like it when people develop themselves and become powerful individuals. But now I am not working in ceramics. Another work is entitled Moving Forward – one should not sit idly, we must develop ourselves, and thus develop the country.”

Les has already presented the works of the “Global Warming” project in Lviv. For the exhibition in Kyiv he invited Bohdan Kukharsky. “Everything has its time. When the Industrial Revolution began, no one had discussed the issue of nature, they had a different perspective. Before World War One all the countries were eager for battle, and after the war they grieved about what they had committed. Today the hot topic is global warming. Everyone fears that humanity will disappear. Pollution of the oceans, melting of glaciers, damage from the chemical industry – there are many threats. Unconsciously, you too begin to worry about the problems that can happen to you or to humanity in general,” says Kukharsky.

Given the title of the exhibition, the question arises on how art can affect the struggle against climate change. Kukharsky argues: “One should be an idealist to believe that they create a panacea for every illness by drawing a painting or creating a piece of art. Great responsibility is to start changing at least something. Everyone should make their own contribution, believe that what they are doing is the right thing, and that’s all.”

The exhibition “Global Warming” will be open through December 10.