Public Art In The Ukraine: Wall Murals In Kyiv!
On our Passover trip to the Ukraine I had neither time to do research before hand, nor internet access once on the trip, so the whole experience was very much a surprise, and things are still unfolding as I start to do research about many of the things I saw, and of course photographed!
I’ll admit, I’m generally not a fan of huge wall murals, and especially those on historic buildings, but some of the examples I saw in Kiev (many from the car so no possibility of photographing them) were really quite interesting, and I actually really love the two examples that I did get to photograph! As it turns out wall murals have become a thing in Kyiv, since 2014, and you can even visit kyivmurals.com to find the locations of murals around the city, as well as the names of the artists is some cases! So when in Kyiv (and I highly recommend it, such an interesting city and so very very inexpensive) look up and around and enjoy the murals!
This beauty, on the hill of Andrew’s Descent, in Podil is called Revival, and created by the French graffiti artist Julien Mallan and Alexey Kislov, an artist from Sevastopol (Crimea) The artists depicted a girl in a wreath – a national Ukrainian symbol, and below are elements of the old Kiev cityscape and faces of Cossacks. The mural shows us a new Ukraine, which has awoken from a long sleep. The face of the young girl protects her land and a new generation: the boy in her hand is looking forward to the future with hope. Blue circles above the head of the girl symbolize Ukraine’s transition to a new level of consciousness. Nice, right?
I did not find any information about this one, but it is also in Podil.
And check out this guy!
And here a close up. Really interesting right? Looks to me like inspired by the Native People of New Zealand, the Maoris. Also located in Podil on the street car tracks, next to the main square of the neighborhood…..which you should not miss, more photos soon!
Now, this guy isn’t really in the category of wall murals, but I love it just the same, a really simple representation of traditional Ukrainian embroidery on a temporary wall in Podil.
That is it for the wall murals, don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for interesting public art where ever you may be!
3 Comments
Claire
I love it when I find giant murals on buildings in cities I think they make the place more interesting. These murals are great.
Alexandra
That Revival mural is incredible!
Sara Rivka
Thanks Claire, now I want to go and see them all, just have to do it with my art loving daughter, not the husband who doesnt like to walk!