Residents of Chatham-Kent are invited to get a first look at a local artist's newest creation that will soon be headed to a museum in Saskatoon that showcases Ukrainian culture.
Bernie Hrytzak was commissioned by the Musée Ukraina to design and create and one-of-a-kind book cover that will be featured in the museum.
According to Hrytzak, who is recognized for his artistry and skills with woodturning, Musée Ukraina opened in Saskatoon in 2012 and was largely made possible due to donations from the community.
Featuring thousands of artifacts and works of art, Musée Ukraina showcases the history of the Ukrainian people along with their cultural and historical contributions. Hrytzak himself is of Ukrainian descent and was approached by museum officials in 2021 who asked him to create a book cover out of inlaid wood to commemorate the people who donated to the museum.
Hrytzak is originally from Saskatchewan and said his longstanding relationship with the museum is what led to him getting the opportunity.
Bernie Hrytzak (courtesy Thames Art Gallery)
"Over the last few years, I was donating art objects to them as a fundraiser," he explained. "So they came to me with this request."
Since getting commissioned for the piece, Hrytzak said that he was in constant contact with museum officials to bounce ideas off. It was agreed upon that it should be an abstract piece however, Hrytzak said that other than that direction, he was given the artistic freedom to decide what imagery would be featured on the book cover.
According to Hrytzak, he incorporated many Ukrainian traditions and Ukrainian cultural motifs into the piece, which is constructed out of intricate layers of figured veneers and brightly coloured abalone.
"[The president of the museum] suggested the Tree of Life. So I worked upon that idea. Then, because I wanted to incorporate all these other Ukrainian traditions and customs, I suggested we use braided bread as the starting point from the bottom of where the Tree of Life comes out," he explained. "I thought it was important to reflect my heritage and also for the people that built the museum and around that area. I'm very familiar with the local customs and I think what I came up with for them reflects that."
Hrytzak started the design phase of his work back in October 2021. Since then, Hrytzak has watched along with the rest of the world as Russian troops continue their invasion of Ukraine.
Although his family came from Ukraine to Canada more than two centuries ago, Hrytzak said he still has a deep connection with his Ukrainian roots and working on the piece for Musée Ukraina was a welcome distraction.
"I'm saddened by those events," he said. "[My family] has been here a long time but I feel close ties to Ukraine. I always have felt close ties because of my culture and its traditions. I think working on this has actually helped me with that because I'm focusing on the art as opposed to the other details."
Hrytzak said he also believes that the events of the past few weeks only amplify the need for and the importance of Ukrainian museums.
"Because we have our traditions and our customs. So, it's important to preserve those," he said.
Before the book cover makes its way to its permanent home in Saskatoon, Hrytzak will present it to the local audience in Chatham-Kent and discuss the tradition of Ukrainian design and how that type of artwork will help support the legacy of Ukrainian culture in Canada as well as answer questions.
The unveiling will take place on Thursday, April 7 at ARTspace on King Street West in Chatham. The free, family-friendly event is set to start at 7 p.m.
