UKR DNA, an art exhibition of the striking work of Melbourne-based architect of Ukrainian heritage, Maru Jarockyj, has officially opened and already been seen by hundreds of visitors.
The exhibition was opened on Thursday 8 December by Councillor Dr Olivia Ball, City of Melbourne, Bwe Thay, Deputy Chair Victorian Multicultural Commission, Volodymyr Shalkivskiy – Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Ukraine in Australia and Chrestyna Kmetj – AFUO Arts & Cultural Sub-Committee, which includes Jill Morgan AM and Natalia Moravski.
Entertainment was provided by members of “Yellow Blue Bus”, a Ukrainian inspired global-fusion ensemble from Adelaide, who play a mix of reinterpreted Ukrainian folk and modern music on the Ukrainian bandura – a 65 stringed cousin of the lute.
Together with a Q&A with the artist on 11 December, exhibition visitors have included the Ukrainian Ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myronshynchenko, Bishop Mykola Bychok, Andrii Govorov – world champion Ukrainian swimmer, Laurie Nowell and Catherine Scarth of AMES Australia, representatives from Multicultural Arts Victoria (MAV) including Andy Miller co-CEO, Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) and Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria (ECCV) as well as representatives of the Federal Government.
The exhibition is open to the public and runs through to January 12, 2023, The Dock Library Gallery, 107 Victoria Harbour Promenade.
Click here for the flyer about the event. See below for more information about the exhibition:
UKR DNA – UKRAINIAN DNA is an exhibition of work by Maru Jarockyj which highlights the infusion of her Ukrainian heritage into linear blocks and coloured cubic assemblies defined by symbolic Ukrainian themes.
The symphony of eclectic lines reflect the strands of the strong Ukrainian DNA symbolically representing the cultural links that tie to a deep sense of self, a mystic multicultural identity, that which Australian Ukrainians draw upon living in the diaspora.
Ukrainian DNA, the spiritual threads, the unbreakable bonds that are the very essence of being which connects community, and is especially relevant and necessary at this point in time with the devastating invasion of Ukraine that has shocked the whole world and has impacted significantly on the Ukrainian community resident in Melbourne and Displaced Persons that have made Australia home.
This exhibition reinforces the need to promote art within multicultural communities and to celebrate work that inspires, connects and focuses on the vibrancy of humanity. Sharing art and culture makes communities stronger, tolerant, more resilient and the work featured in this exhibition will reinforce the idea in these horrific and challenging times for Ukraine that Art gives us a voice, gives us optimism and hope.
The significant Ukrainian/Australian community living in Melbourne is fiercely proud of its heritage and will always harness its creative Ukrainian DNA for the triumph of truth.
