The Shevchenko Scientific Society of the USA, located in New York, presented the works of Ukrainian artist Yurko Gutsulyak, created during the full-scale Russian invasion.
This was said in Shevchenko Scientific Society.
The artist’s works are primarily addressed to an audience outside Ukraine. They trace geopolitical, cultural and personal faults.
“The works were created during the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. They raise the themes of belonging, forced displacement, disinformation, destruction, resilience and the indomitable power of Ukrainian identity. The exhibition addresses an audience outside Ukraine through typographic experiments and reinterpretation of national symbols, opening a dialogue about war and solidarity,” shared the author of the exhibition.
The exhibition, in particular, combined stark black-and-white typographic works, blue-and-yellow assertive compositions, and experimental searches for national identity.
“Some works directly respond to events, capturing the raw pulse of a country under attack. Others are more detached, transforming symbols and messages into reflections on heritage, historical truth, and collective memory. Together, they occupy the shaky ground of global interconnectedness, asserting that there is no safe distance from violence, responsibility, or the common task of defending the truth,” the Shevchenko Scientific Society said about the works presented.
Among the exhibits is the “Blue and Yellow” series, which reinterprets the Ukrainian flag through abstract but deeply personal images.
“All of the posters presented were created during a full-scale invasion, sometimes in response to shocking news of war. The author tried to turn off his heart and turn on his mind in order to communicate with people who were not touched by the experience of war,” – shared impressions of the exhibition in the first branch of UNWLA.
One of the key messages of the series: “When there are no colors left, the Ukrainian flag will still fly!” – reflects the endurance of identity even in the face of destruction.
“Since the beginning of the war, Ukrainians around the world have become more acutely aware of the blue and yellow colors around them – shades that have become the embodiment of resilience, solidarity and hope. The project develops this phenomenon by exploring the existence of these colors beyond the visual form,” – the organizers note.
Background
Yurko Gutsulyak is an artist and visionary from Ukraine who explores symbolism, materiality and conceptual storytelling. With a background in branding and graphic design, he combines design methodologies with artistic explorations, using print and interactive objects to challenge traditional interpretations of visual codes.
Yurko Gutsulyak has had a successful career in visual communications. In 2005, he founded Gutsulyak.Studio, an award-winning identity and packaging studio.
His projects have won over 150 international awards (Red Dot, European Design Awards, Epica Awards, Pentawards, Dieline Awards, Communication Arts, Graphis) and have been presented in Canada, Switzerland, France, Germany, China, Poland, Mexico, the USA and Ukraine.
He has lectured around the world and served as a jury member for creative competitions in North America, Europe and Asia. His works and interviews have been published in influential publications: Novum (Germany), idPure (Switzerland), +design (Greece), idN (Hong Kong), telegraf (Ukraine), Font (Czech Republic), Brand (China).
Since 2017, after moving to Toronto, he has been developing his own artistic practice, while simultaneously supporting the activities of the studio.
Photo: Volodymyr Tkachenko, UNWLA
Author: Inna Mikhno