THE UKRAINIAN LION IS NOT AFRAID OF THE COBRA

The project was implemented in cooperation with the Chernihiv Regional Art Museum named after Hryhorii Halahan and is dedicated to visualizing narratives about animals that have appeared in public space since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The idea of the project was inspired by an artwork of the same name by Mariia Prymachenko from the collection of the Chernihiv Regional Art Museum named after Hryhorii Halahan. The image of Prymachenko’s lion is a symbol of resilience. It is associated with goodness fighting against evil and embodies the strength of the artist’s spirit. The exhibition presents works by masters and workshop participants of Ukrainian decorative painting traditions, including Petrykivka, Poltava, Podillia, Kyiv, Crimean Tatar, Kosiv, Samchyky, Slobozhanskyi, Tavriia, and Yavoriv styles. These works are creative interpretations of animal imagery in the context of war, expressed through traditional forms of Ukrainian folk art. The exhibition brought together 26 artists of decorative painting and ceramics from 10 regions of Ukraine, becoming an important step in supporting Ukrainian cultural heritage.