Chimera to settle down in Kyiv

The National Art Museum of Ukraine is hosting an exhibit by the noted Franco-Ukrainian abstract painter and expressionist Ivan Kavun (1925-2001). Works by this celebrated artist first found their way to his historical homeland as part of the cultural project “French Spring in Ukraine.” They can be seen at the exhibit “A Tribute to Ivan Kavun” until April 30.

The artist was born in a Ukrainian family that immigrated to the West. The future painter, lithographer, illustrator, and sculptor was almost born on a train heading for the French city of Reims. Kavun started painting at an early age and soon began taking part in exhibits. Today his pictures hang in prestigious museums, galleries, and salons.

Kavun represents the second generation of abstract painters of the Paris school. His style is marked by bold strokes and inventive color combinations. He could not devote himself entirely to art, and in the early 1950s he worked at a local theater, raising and lowering the curtain, a job known as “taps.” (Taps became his nickname). After marrying Denise Portefaix, Kavun trained at a sheep breeding school with a view to earning a living. At one time he considered living in the country and breeding sheep in Montchanson.

He conveyed his impressions of his environs to his paintings. The Kavuns moved to Paris after his works won recognition. During a trip to Italy in the 1980s, the artist fell in love with Venice. The city enchanted him and a number of paintings are inspired by his Venetian memories.

During his life, which spanned 76 years, Kavun never visited Ukraine, although he long cherished the idea. Now he has visited his historical homeland through his works of art. The paintings Ukrainian Tale and Ukrainian Legend are visual recollections of his mother’s stories. Denise Kavun describes the exhibit as important and exciting. In fact, the artist’s widow conceived the idea of displaying his works in Kyiv and donated Venetian Chimera (1993) to the National Art Museum.