Lialia Kuchma, member of the Art Committee of the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art (UIMA) in Chicago, has been named a recipient of the prestigious Teitelbaum Award, presented by the American Tapestry Alliance (ATA) as part of the American Tapestry Biennial.
This was reported by the UIMAart
“Through her intricate and expressive woven works, Lialia draws attention to a critical moment in Ukraine’s history and powerfully elevates contemporary Ukrainian art on the international stage. We are honored to recognize this well-deserved acknowledgment of her artistic vision and unwavering commitment to preserving Ukrainian culture,” stated UIMA.
Her award-winning tapestry, “Ukrainian War No. 4,” selected for the biennial through a competitive jury process, stands as a powerful artistic statement on war, national memory, and resistance. The work reflects the artist’s personal interpretation of the tragedy and resilience of Ukraine in the face of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
“Most of my work is the result of simply looking — and in that process, whether it’s observing art, nature, or the geometry of the city, I often find myself asking: how can this be translated into the language of tapestry?” shared Kuchma in a reflection on her creative process.
The artist draws inspiration from classical art (especially Henri Matisse), contemporary photography, and her own emotional observations. She works primarily in a black-and-white palette, using textile to capture rhythms, contours, and meaning.
Among her signature pieces is “Wing Left”, a composition that combines technical notations from an airplane wing with a sense of visual freedom, and a portrait of Otar, originally based on a black-and-white photograph. The latter evolved into a two-year collaborative project, transforming the image into a woven artwork.
“This particular tapestry emerged during a phase of photographic work. I wanted to apply a very simple weaving technique and alter the portrait while still preserving its photographic qualities,” the artist explained.
Background Lialia Kuchma was born in Ukraine and raised in Chicago, Illinois. Throughout her life, she studied printmaking, calligraphy, sculpture, photography, gilding, and stenciling. However, it was tapestry weaving — a technique she taught herself — that became her primary mode of artistic expression.
The American Tapestry Biennial is a prestigious international juried exhibition of contemporary handwoven tapestry, organized by the American Tapestry Alliance. It features artists from around the world and typically travels to multiple venues across North America. The exhibition is accompanied by a catalog and juror commentaries. Two Teitelbaum Awards are presented within the framework of the biennial.
Photo: UIMA
Author: Inna Mikhno