“Peacemaking. A Path of Hope”

The Vinnytsia Museum of Regional Studies has unveiled an exhibition, “Peacemaking. A Path of Hope,” to mark Ukrainian Unity Day. The exhibiter is a young, but well-known, Vinnytsia-based artist Anatolii Haistruk. Along with tapestries and oil paintings, the exposition presents two National Records of Ukraine: “Hand-Made Boxing Glove with Ukrainian Embroidering,” which Haistruk made after the victory of Ukraine’s national boxing team at the 2012 Olympics in London, and a “fresh” unique item of jewelry – Bracelet “Rose as a Star of Peace.” The National Register of Ukraine’s Records registered the latter in December 2014 at the opening ceremony of Haistruk’s exhibition in the Ukrainian National Museum of Literature.

Haistruk was once called wonder child. He began to paint pictures at the age of five and won the hearts of art critics with his symbolic works. After winning a lot of victories at art competitions and gaining the experience of presenting his artworks not only in Ukraine, but also abroad, Haistruk decided he would not betray painting but, like his parents, would become a doctor. Now the artist is a 2nd-year student at the Vinnytsia Pirogov Medical University, where he studies such an interesting psychological subject as art therapy for those wounded in the antiterrorist operation (ATO) zone.

“The displayed pictures show sacral structures, for this is a fundamental principle of the formation of my nation’s spirituality,” the master emphasizes. “At the same time, the works are of a soothing and well-balanced nature. Looking at them, you feel relaxed and get filled with positive energy. My art studio colleagues and I    employ this technique to rehabilitate the ATO soldiers who undergo treatment at a military hospital. I will confess that the wounded are reluctant to take a paintbrush in hand, and their works are not in light colors. But this method can help draw the guys out of a dangerous psychological abyss.”

Art critic Oksana Nestorovych says society is now in need of Haistruk’s pro-Ukrainian oeuvre, and his records make it clear that there still are many artistic peaks to be scaled.

“Anatoilii Haistruk’s project ‘Peacemaking. A Path of Hope’ is the young artist’s contribution to the common cause of fighting for peace by means of intellect and talent rather than by means weapons. And the precious bracelet ‘Rose as a Star of Peace’ is a symbolic reminder of the fact that Ukrainian culture has a longtime history and cannot be destroyed,” Nestorovych says convincingly.

The exhibition will last until February 1.