28 June 2025
(Photo: Intent/Natalia Dovbysh)
An exhibition of works by students of the Odesa Art College opened on June 28 at the Odesa National Art Museum.
According to an international correspondent, the exhibition is part of the project "Pleiades: To the 160th Anniversary of the Odesa Art College," which explores the history of the Mytrofan Grekov Odesa Art College from its foundation in 1865 to the first years of Ukraine's independence.
Through the retrospective of students' works, visitors can trace the change of narratives, political regimes and ideologies, as well as the role of art in them.
"Behind each work is the life of real people, whole galaxies of young artists. Looking back at the history of the college, one can appreciate the importance of art education for the formation of artists of different generations and the role of the institution itself as a center of attraction. Today, despite the challenges of war and Russian attacks, Odesa's Grekovka continues its work, seeking a balance between preserving traditions and new realities," the exhibition organizers emphasize.
According to the director of the art museum Kateryna Kulai, the project "Pleiades: To the 160th Anniversary of the Odesa Art College" has been prepared for more than six months.
"This is a thorough archival and scientific work, which will result in the presentation of more than 300 student works that will be placed on the entire second floor of the museum. The history of art education in Odesa covers more than a century and a half of art, resistance, respect and learning," said Kateryna Kulay.
In May, the Artodesa Gallery of the Summer Theater of the City Garden dedicated the exhibition "Sculpture. Time. Memory" exhibition dedicated to the 160th anniversary of the Grekov Odesa Art College. The mother of the sculptor Taras Shevchenko, who collaborated with the Tuzly Estuaries National Park, was a military sculptor, and recently died due to health reasons, also attended the event and spoke about her son's work.
Кирило Бойко