Vasyl Bovych’s “Wooden graphics”
Works of unique Hutsul master who addresses the origins of Ukrainian rituals displayed in Kyiv
Exhibition “Didyzna” of works by Vasyl Bovych, artist from Kosiv took place in the Art Hall “Kairos.” The exposition includes more than 80 works of the master that present Hutsul arts and crafts. All the pictures are carved from wood and are dedicated to pagan spirituality. In these works the author refers to the origins of spiritual sources of Ukrainian rituals – paganism.
Bovych is often called “coryphaeus of Kosiv carving.” The master uses a special carving technique – wooden graphics. Bovych’s favorite material is pear wood but due to the lack of fruit trees, which are being cut down a lot, he also uses ash. Apart from the craving itself Bovych also uses toning, application of egg shells, and decorating with artificial pearls.
According to the artist he never appeals to the notion of “inspiration,” because an idea does not come in an instant, instead in lives in our subconsciousness all the time. The collection “Didyzna” is united by the common thematic idea of the author aimed at ancestors’ spiritual depths.
“Wooden graphics” (as Bovych calls his own art work) is characterized by pictographical conciseness; the art works presented at the exhibition embody archetype images of pagan belief. The artist noted that carving and relieves on traditional plates and decorative layers are the thoughts expressed in wood.
Bovych devoted many years to studying ancient Ukrainian beliefs, he knows well unique Ukrainian ethnographical literature and rare Slavic Neopaganism symbolism which he uses in his work. However, he assures that anyone who considers himself to be a Ukrainian and knows at least a little bit about the pedigree of his nation, its customs and traditions, will be able to “read” his compositions.
Interestingly, in the works from the collection “Didyzna” (Ancestor’s Legacy) there are a lot of pictures of crosses. According to Halyna Lozko, Doctor of Philosophy, magus of the Association of Slavic Neopagans of Ukraine it is a sign of presence of Christian symbolism in the works of the master. But the author interprets the cross as solely pagan symbol, which represents Yin and yang – horizontal and vertical lines. Master, among other things, often refers to the stories of Ukrainian literature; one of his works is tangent to the narrative by Mykhailo Kotsiubynsky Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors.
Bovych has many iconic works, in which the master clearly confirms the depth and richness of symbolism of the pre-Christian pantheon of polytheism. Many works of the artist are preserved in Ukrainian museums and private collections, among them there are such collections of works as “Pysanka’s from Grandfather,” “Crosses of Ukraine,” “Grandfather’s Calendar,” “Flowers of Mallow,” “My Credo,” and the autobiographical collection “Steps to Fairytale Land.”
Despite the obvious talent, Bovych does not consider his works to be true art. He says as a joke: “I am not an artist it’s just that God gave me a task to spoil boards.” However, through his work he seeks to get Ukrainians back to the origins of the spiritual source and bring beads of Ukrainian rituals to the future generations.
