To honor the creative achievements of the talented Ukrainian artist, Boston held a celebration for her 75th birthday. During a concert of Ukrainian classical music in Lexington, one of her pieces from the "Bakhmut" series was presented to the public — a symbolic gesture of respect for the artist and her contributions to Ukrainian art.
This was reported by Ukrainian Cultural Initiatives.
During the concert, one of Minenko's works from the "Bakhmut" series was presented. Minenko is a Ukrainian artist and performer whose creativity has resonated with audiences far beyond Ukraine. The painting, from the gouache series "Bakhmut," served as a visual complement to the musical rhapsody of the same name by composer Olga Zaitseva-Gerts. Vira Slyvotska (soprano), Valeria Sholokhova (cello), and Pavlo Gintov (piano) performed the accompaniment, creating a deeply emotional narrative about the pain and resilience experienced by modern Ukraine.
In addition to events in the US, the artist's anniversary was widely celebrated in Ukraine. In Kaniv, where Minenko lives and teaches at the College of Culture and Arts, a large anniversary exhibition of her work opened. One of the festive events was the official inclusion of her name on the World Academy of Science, Education, Culture, and Arts' (WASECA, London, UK) list of world-renowned artists. This recognition attests to the international significance of her artistic legacy.
Lyubov Minenko was born in Kaniv and is a recipient of the Vasyl Stus Prize. She studied under such masters as Tetiana Yablonska and Danylo Lider. She transitioned from theater design to painting, watercolor, and textile collage, combining her creative work with her teaching position at the Kaniv School of Culture and Arts.
"Her works penetrate the depths of centuries. It is difficult to attribute them to a specific time. They transcend time,” wrote philosopher Yevhen Sverstiuk.
Since the 1990s, Minenko has actively exhibited her work in Ukraine and abroad. Her works are represented in collections in France, Germany, Great Britain, the United States, and other countries. In 2018, Polina Limina published a monograph dedicated to Minenko, highlighting her artistic legacy.
The anniversary provided an opportunity to honor the artist's creative journey and remind us that Ukrainian art remains alive, open to the world, and capable of inspiring, both in Kaniv and Boston.
Author: Danylo Pievchev