Davyd Chychkan / Давид Чичкан

2022

Drawing, 61,2 x 86,3 cm.
Materials: Watercolour on paper

Collection: Collection M HKA/ Flemish Community (Inv. no. BK009527).

The drawing depicts the trinity of significant Ukrainian political and cultural figures: the political theorist, economist, historian, philosopher and ethnographer Mykhailo Drahomanov (1841 –1895); the writer and feminist activist Lesya Ukrainka (1871 –1913); and the writer, social and literary critic, journalist, economist, political activist, philosopher and ethnographer, Ivan Franko (1856 – 1916). Referring to the anarchist partialities of Drahomanov, Franko's socialist views and Ukrainka's feminist position, Davyd Chychkan depicts them under four colourful ribbons. The artist believes that the blue and yellow are not enough to fully reveal the identity of his country and the very idea of “Ukrainianness”. Along with the now highly-recognisable Ukrainian national colours, the artist has added black corresponding with the idea of anti-authoritarianism and decentralisation; purple which stands for feminism and cultural progression; and red which refers to social equality and direct democracy. Progressive ideas that have been developed over decades of social democratic rule in other European countries, were perverted in Ukraine by Bolshevism and thus perceived often with negative connotations. By depicting national heroes – the university of Lviv is named after Ivan Franko – alongside symbolic colours, the artist reminds us of the ongoing relevance of the ideas they stood for.