Lyubov Panchenko (1938-2022) is known by her colourful folk art collages, she represented non-conformist art of 1960s in Ukraine. In March 2022, russians occupied her hometown Bucha. Starvation and isolation contributed to her death on 30 April 2022.
Her parents discouraged her childhood interest in art, often punishing her just for picking up a drawing pencil. Nevertheless,she put herself through art school without her family’s support,graduating from the Kyiv School of Applied Arts with a degree in embroidery.
'Motherhood'
She worked as a tailor and later as a fashion designer. Panchenko cut pieces of brightly-colored clothing textiles to create decorative compositions. She incorporated national symbols and other elements of Ukrainian folk art in her works.
For much of her career, the soviet government censored 🇺🇦 art. Due to her devotion to colourful Ukrainian folk art and anti-Soviet activism, she was forbidden to exhibit her art for decades. She published decorative embroidery patterns in magazines for women.
'In Starry Space'
Panchenko participated in a rebellious revival of Ukrainian holiday traditions in Kyiv, including painting traditional Easter eggs, during the soviet occupation. She also raised money to support anti-Soviet activists in prison. Her first exhibition was after Independence.
She met full-scale invasion of russia in Bucha alone. I was in Bucha too, so I could tell that there was no food and help in occupation. russians killed people who were just trying to find water. They destroyed everything and looted shops. For 84 year women it was too much.
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