Self-taught artist from Bukovyna praised by former UN Secretary General

Mykola Prinkovsky has loved to draw since his childhood years, but graduated from the biology department of the Chernivtsi State University. He moved to Poland five years ago. However, his long-time passion for painting is still with him.

“In my spare time, I take a piece of paper and draw landscapes, portraits of famous people, friends. I draw mostly with pencils and watercolors,” the artist told us. “It is more convenient this way. I love to visit various art exhibitions and galleries of famous artists. It inspires me so much that I want to draw something worthwhile, too, something that will be appreciated, to prove that a self-taught artist without professional education and links to the art world can achieve success and some recognition in it.” Prinkovsky, a native of the village of Piadykivtsi, Kitsman district, is now spoken about amid famous contemporary artists of Europe. His drawings, posters and cartoons have been published in Polish newspapers and art catalogs, awarded various diplomas and prizes, while two pieces have even entered international thematic catalogs that include 100 best pictures selected from among several thousand works from around the world. Prinkovsky prepared and submitted his works to compete in a contest of posters about peace on earth which was held under the auspices of the UN in 2013. He won the contest. Recently, he received an award from the UN representatives for participating in it. The letter to the Bukovynian artist, signed by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and famous political cartoonist and journalist Ranan Lurie reads in part as follows: “It is a great privilege and honor for us to acknowledge your wonderful talent.” A similar tournament will be held in Portugal in 2015. Prinkovsky plans to submit a few pieces for it, too.