Tamara Proshkuratova’s artistry

The diverse art exhibits in the Verkhovna Rada lobby have become standard practice. But the one now on display is unusual — an exhibit of embroidered pictures of flowers and landscapes made by SDPU(O) member Tamara Proshkuratova. Proshkuratova says she wants this exhibit to direct her colleagues’ attention to beauty and to distract them, even a little, from political problems. Since she never captions her works, her friends and colleagues suggested that she call her display “Zakvitchane dozvillia” (Flowery Leisure).

Proshkuratova learned embroidery from her grandmother when she was five or six years old. At the time the future politician was fonder of painting and writing poems. She would mostly embroider small serviettes and rushnyk towels. She says she took up embroidery seriously when she was elected a member of parliament. Being actively involved in political life, she can indulge her hobby only at night. “That’s how I actually relax,” says Proshkuratova in an interview with The Day, adding “Needlework is labor-intensive, but it brings huge satisfaction.”

Proshkuratova’s collection numbers some 50 pieces, apart from the works she has already presented as gifts. She is personally fond of her “Sunflowers,” yet admits she can’t muster the courage to start on pictures of animals and humans. She says this is difficult, that facial and height proportions can be easily distorted. She calls embroidered portraits the peak of creativity. After her encounters with journalists and fellow parliamentarians she might just give it a try. In any case, her canvases will show an abstract image rather than a specific person, says Proshkuratova.

Indeed, our parliamentarians should pay more attention to such creative initiatives and reveal their hidden talents for the benefit of society, rather than fighting and applying “unparliamentary” methods.