Artists » Olexiy Lytvynenko

Sunflowers tryptych, 2009, oil on canvas 145 x 290 cm

Olexiy Lytvynenko

b 1961

The artists creativity is constantly changing with age, with the alteration of the seasons, over time, as does nature itself. Yet his paintings are always portraits - images of plants, insects, events and states. His works are subtle, thoughtful and a careful look at his surroundings and within. Lytvynenko does not produce ambiguous paintings. His images are immediately clear. He uses multiple layers of oil on canvas, yet his works appear understated, sometimes melting away seemingly in a peaceful, nature slumber. He is the opposite of a Bevza or a Lebedynets. His colours are almost pastel despite layers. His canvases appear well-worn as if already from another era. All attributes seem to add value while preserving what we all need to preserve - nature and peace. The understatement is itself a profound statement. In 1997, Lytvynenko received the title of “Artist of the Year” in his native country, Ukraine. This award was preceded by the presentation of a prize at the 1996 Salon International D’ART Contemporain in France. Lytvynenko has had his work frequently exhibited in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Belgium, Estonia and other European countries. His works can also be found in private collections in the U.K., Germany, Switzerland, France, Austria, Sweden, and the United States. Lytvynenko is a 1985 graduate of the Kyiv State Arts Academy and one of the group BBG refers to as the “Group of Five”. We believe they will be to Ukraine what the Group of Seven is to Canada.

Private Collections

Public Collections

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

2010

Fields of Gravity. Five Leading Contemporary Artists of Ukraine. Group Exhibition. Bezpala Brown Gallery, Toronto, Canada

2007
Without Title. Centre for Contemporary Art Soviart, Kyiv, Ukraine

2006
Time Coordinates. Galleri Gamla Vaster. Malmo, Sweden

2004

4th International Festival of Modern Art. Magdeburg, Germany
“Land. Landscape. Water. Petro Bevza, Olexiy Lytvynenko. Painting” Center of Arts “Dzyga”, Lviv, Ukraine
“350afterwards”. The central hall for exhibitions of the NUA of Ukraine. Kyiv; Center of Arts “Dzyga”, Lviv, Ukraine

2003
“INVASIO”. The central hall for exhibitions of the NUA of Ukraine. Kyiv
“Four steps”. Bevza, Zhyravel, Lytvynenko, Fil. Gallery ArtEast, Kyiv, Ukraine

2002
Bevza, Lytvynenko, Apollonov, Kamenev, Trudson. Gallery “Arte Laue” Avenches, Switzerland
“Cretaceous” Soviart gallery, Kyiv, Ukraine. Catalogue
International Landart symposium in Mogrytsa “Cretaceous”.Ukraine
“New View”. The central hall for exhibitions of the NUA of Ukraine. Kyiv. Catalogue
“Symbols of Existence” Painting. Hlibnia exhibition hall, St. Sophia in Kiev, Ukraine

2001
“Sofine Symbols of Existance”. Hlibnia exhibition hall, St. Sophia in Kyiv, Ukraine
“Ukrainische Malerai”, Doctorhouse Gallery, Oberdisbah, Switzerland
Bevza and Lytvynenko, Freefields, Centre PasquArt, Biel-Bienne, Switzerland. Catalogue
Ukrainische Culturage in Switzerland. Conservatory Hall of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
“Cross-road”. Modern Ukrainian Art in border of XX and XXI centuries. The Museum of Fine Art History. Vienna, Ausria
International Landart symposium in Kuressaare Open Circle, Saaremaa, Eesti

2000
“White Transition”. National Art Museum. Kyiv, Ukraine. Catalogue
“Transition”. Center of Contemporary Art at NaUKMA founded by G.Soros. Catalogue
“Transition. Painting”. The central hall for exhibitions of the NUA of Ukraine. Kyiv. Catalogue

1999
III International Art-Festival. Ukrainian House. Kyiv, Ukraine.

1998
“Behold Ukraine”. Lavra Gallery. Kyiv, Ukraine. Catalogue
“Minimal Art”. Luxembourg. Catalogue

1997
24.05 – 27.05 “Zolotyi Peretyn” International Art-Festival. Honor prize.
25.06 – 25.07 Exhibition “Gang”. Bayerischen Landesvertretung, Bonn, Germany. Catalogue

1996
12.01 – 09.02 Christmas Exhibition of the NUA of Ukraine. Gallery “KSH”. Kyiv, Ukraine
26.05 – 10.06 “ New Space”. Gallery “KSH”. Kyiv, Ukraine
04.08 – 02.09 “Maison de la Musigue de Fayence” Villa Brawne, Barhemon, France
04.10 – 06.01.97 Gallery “Martinez”. Kane, France
Project “Et... Open Space”. (Participant):
16.09 – 06.11 “Et caetera+OSPi” Fund Hans Seidel. Kyiv, Ukraine
28.09 – 2.10 “Salon International D’ART Contemporain”. Exhibition Palace, Nice, France. Catalogue
07.10 – 30.10 “Es caetera” Fund “Renesanse”. International Academy “Environment”, Geneva, Switzerland
09.11 – 29.11 “Bevza, Lebedinec, Lytvynenko. Es caetera”. National Art Museum. Kyiv, Ukraine. Catalogue
27.11 – 07.01.97 “Etc…”Exhibition Hall Stadthaus, Mannheim, Germany
14.12 – 16.12 “Culture and City. Autumn opening day”. Gallery Lavra. Kyiv, Ukraine. Catalogue

1995
L’Art Contemporain en Ukraine. Royal Army Museum, Bruxelles, Belgium
“Small picture. Red, white, bleak”. Kievo-Mohylyanska Akademy, Kyiv, Ukraine.
Autumn exhibition of the NUA of Ukraine. Gallery Lavra. Kyiv, Ukraine.

AWARDS
2000 - Project “Transition” has taken first place in the 1999 project contest organized by the Soros Centre of Contemporary ART, 2000, Kyiv.
1999 - Project “Heritage” has taken first place in the 1999 project contest “Soviart” organized by the Association of Galleries of Ukraine.
1997 - Grand - Prize of International Art Festival “Zolotyi peretyn”. Kyiv, 1997. Ukraine.
1996 - Honorary prize of “Salon Internationale D’ART Contemporain”. France.