Ukrainian Artists Society of Australia
Encyclopedia
The Ukrainian Artists Society of Australia was founded in 1967 and was particularly active from the 1960s to the 1970s. As well as the national body, there were a number of other chapters founded in the other Australian states, however, the NSW chapter of the Society, using the acronym СУОМА (НПВ) — "SUOMA (NSW)", was the only society that continued to be active.
Europe, Ukrainian amateur and professional artists contributed to the culture and development of the Ukrainian Australian
community, and together with other artists in the arts
fields of opera
and ballet
, have made a significant contribution to the development of the country. They participated in Ukrainian community cultural organizations like Plast
, and SUM
, but also decorated stages for concerts and theaters, decorated church interiors, designed concert programs, flyers, banners, posters, and logos for various Ukrainian organizations. Some, like Michael Kmit
and Leonid Denysenko
, were successful as full-time artists.
The first major wave of Ukrainian immigrants to Australia began after World War II, arriving in Australia in 1948. Building a Ukrainian community within a new country was a goal for many ethnic Ukrainians who had been displaced by the war, and who refused to return to a homeland controlled by a repressive Soviet communist regime
. The newly formed communities brought together professional and amateur actors, musicians, singers, and visual artists to Australia. Many of them, like Michael Kmit
, completed art studies in higher centers of learning in Ukraine
or Poland
, and some had worked professionally before arriving in Australia. However, in their new chosen homeland they were expected to complete a 2-year work contract in employment chosen by the Australian Government. Many jobs for the immigrant males were physically difficult and were located away from major population centers in isolated villages and farms, and in some cases were demeaning by ignoring the person's profession and skills. In the early years, the women in the camps lived separately from the men; working in hospitals or in private homes as domestic workers.
Under such conditions, art and painting took on a secondary role, however after the fulfilment of these 2 year contracts the Ukrainian diaspora
in Australia immediately began to organize social and cultural life. During the initial temporary camp life period, Ukrainians started to stage theatrical plays, concerts and displays of their craft work. By 1950 Denysenko was already being featured in the Australian Women's Weekly
as a migrant artist from Ukraine.
The Ukrainian artists, along with others active in the Ukrainian amateur theater, opera, and choirs, helped in the difficult task of ‘community building
’ in the early years of Ukrainian settlement in Australia. Within a year or two, Ukrainians had formed theatrical societies and choirs in various locations.
While most artists were employed in non-artistic related industries, some like Leonid Denysenko
found work in Australia in the field of art, either teaching drawing in public and private schools, or in private graphic art firms. Michael Kmit
, worked as a porter
and cleaner of rail carriages in Sydney
while he established himself as "one of Australia's best artists".
) became its secretary, and Orion Wenhrynovych (Melbourne) and Aleksander Chubatyj (Sydney) each served as treasurers.
The Society’s first exhibition was held on 25–31 August 1967 at the Gallery, Canberra Theatre
Centre as part of the Ukrainian National Festival “A Tribute to Australia”, which was opened by the Australian Minister for Immigration Billy Snedden
. Nineteen Ukrainian-Australian artists from around Australia took part in this first national exhibition.
in both 1967 and 1972.
, a local government area on the outskirts of Sydney. This monument was erected in the park at the Crescent, Fairfield in 1968.
The most successful of all Australian-Ukrainian artists was Michael Kmit. In 1951 he held his first solo show in Australia at the Macquarie Galleries and received a commendation for his entry in the competition for the new Blake Prize for Religious Art
. A year later he took second place in the Blake competition and in 1953
won the prize itself with The Evangelist John Mark.
There followed an impressive series of awards: the Perth Prize (1954), the Critics' Prize for Contemporary Art (1955), the Darcy Morris Memorial Prize (1956) and the Sulman Prize (1957). Kmit's abstract works were acknowledged as making a significant contribution to the Australian abstract movement by Australian art historians. The Australian artists Paul Haefliger wrote:
“Of all the foreign aspirants to art who have visited these shores since the war, Michael Kmit is the only one who has made an impression on the present generation of painters.” Kmit's paintings were bought by national galleries as part of their collections.
in Sydney, and he was a finalist in the Archibald Prize
Photo competition. Lialia and Valentin Varetsa were able to receive commissions for illustrating children's books. Other newly arrived artists Svitlana Soldatova has had solo exhibition in private galleries while Natalia Balo, has won local awards, and has given drawing lessons at a regional arts network.
The Society's cultural ties with artists in Ukraine resulted in a number of visits to Australia, some while Ukraine was still under Soviet control. In 1989 artist Ivan Marchuk
was invited to Australia, where he gained some success. In 1992 artist-sculptor Anatoly Valiyev visited Australia in 1992 and presenting the Ukrainian community in Australia with a bronze monument to Taras Shevchenko
, which was erected in Canberra.
n chapter of SUOMA, based in Melbourne
, was headed by Vasyl Czybulsky, and after his death Lyudmyla Hrytsenko.
The first annual convention of SUOMA was held in Melbourne in April 1971 as part of the Second Convention of Ukrainians in Australia. This exhibition displayed works by 19 artists, of whom 8 were from Victoria.
The most active and the longest-lasting of the various SUOMA groups was the New South Wales
chapter. The first members of SUOMA (NSW) were: Michael Sadowskyj (President), Peter Kravchenko (Secretary), Stefan Misko (President of the national SUOMA), Michael Kmit, Leonid Denysenko
, Eugenia Koziolkowskyj, Sofia Sywenkyj, Aleksander Chubaty.
During the most active period of the group — the 1960s to 1970s , the role of President was performed by: Michael Sadowskyj, Aleksander Chubaty, Stefan Chwyla, Theodor Nalukowyj and now Paul Kravchenko. The role of Secretary since 1967 to today has been performed by Peter Kravchenko till his death.
Background
Arriving in Australia as migrants after post-World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
Europe, Ukrainian amateur and professional artists contributed to the culture and development of the Ukrainian Australian
Ukrainian Australian
The Ukrainians are an ethnic minority in Australia, numbering about 20,000 people, hence making up 0.16% of the total population. Currently, the main concentrations of Ukrainians are located in Melbourne and Sydney.- History :...
community, and together with other artists in the arts
ARts
aRts, which stands for analog Real time synthesizer, is an audio framework that is no longer under development. It is best known for previously being used in KDE to simulate an analog synthesizer....
fields of opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
and ballet
Ballet
Ballet is a type of performance dance, that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century, and which was further developed in France and Russia as a concert dance form. The early portions preceded the invention of the proscenium stage and were presented in large chambers with...
, have made a significant contribution to the development of the country. They participated in Ukrainian community cultural organizations like Plast
Plast
The Plast National Scout Organization of Ukraine commonly called Ukrainian Plast or simply Plast is the largest Scouting organization in Ukraine.-First Phase: 1911-1920:...
, and SUM
Ukrainian Youth Association
The Spilka Ukraïns'koï Molodi, commonly referred to by its acronym CYM or as the "Ukrainian Youth Association", is a Scouting organization in Ukraine, Argentinia, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Estonia, France, Great Britain, Germany and the United States affiliated to the Organization of Ukrainian...
, but also decorated stages for concerts and theaters, decorated church interiors, designed concert programs, flyers, banners, posters, and logos for various Ukrainian organizations. Some, like Michael Kmit
Michael Kmit
Michael Kmit was a Ukrainian painter who spent twenty-five of his most productive years in Australia. He is notable for introducing a neo-Byzantine style of painting to Australia, and winning a number of major Australian art prizes including the Blake Prize and the Sulman Prize...
and Leonid Denysenko
Leonid Denysenko
Leonid Denysenko is an Australian artist of Ukrainian descent living in Sydney, Australia. He is notable for the introduction of the graphic art technique of "literography". He is the only surviving founding member of the Ukrainian Artists Society of Australia.- Biography and career :Born in Warsaw...
, were successful as full-time artists.
The first major wave of Ukrainian immigrants to Australia began after World War II, arriving in Australia in 1948. Building a Ukrainian community within a new country was a goal for many ethnic Ukrainians who had been displaced by the war, and who refused to return to a homeland controlled by a repressive Soviet communist regime
Human rights in the Soviet Union
Human rights in the Soviet Union have been viewed differently, one view by the communist ideology adopted by the Soviet Union and another by its critics. The Soviet Union was established after a revolution that ended centuries of Tsarist monarchy...
. The newly formed communities brought together professional and amateur actors, musicians, singers, and visual artists to Australia. Many of them, like Michael Kmit
Michael Kmit
Michael Kmit was a Ukrainian painter who spent twenty-five of his most productive years in Australia. He is notable for introducing a neo-Byzantine style of painting to Australia, and winning a number of major Australian art prizes including the Blake Prize and the Sulman Prize...
, completed art studies in higher centers of learning in Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
or Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, and some had worked professionally before arriving in Australia. However, in their new chosen homeland they were expected to complete a 2-year work contract in employment chosen by the Australian Government. Many jobs for the immigrant males were physically difficult and were located away from major population centers in isolated villages and farms, and in some cases were demeaning by ignoring the person's profession and skills. In the early years, the women in the camps lived separately from the men; working in hospitals or in private homes as domestic workers.
Under such conditions, art and painting took on a secondary role, however after the fulfilment of these 2 year contracts the Ukrainian diaspora
Ukrainian diaspora
The Ukrainian diaspora is the global community of ethnic Ukrainians, especially those who maintain some kind of connection, even if ephemeral, to the land of their ancestors and maintain their feeling of Ukrainian national identity within their own local community.-1608 To 1880:After the loss...
in Australia immediately began to organize social and cultural life. During the initial temporary camp life period, Ukrainians started to stage theatrical plays, concerts and displays of their craft work. By 1950 Denysenko was already being featured in the Australian Women's Weekly
Australian Women's Weekly
The Australian Women's Weekly is an Australian monthly women's magazine published by ACP Magazines, a division of PBL Media based in Sydney. Audited circulation in 2009 exceeded 500,000 copies monthly, making it the largest magazine in Australia.-History:...
as a migrant artist from Ukraine.
The Ukrainian artists, along with others active in the Ukrainian amateur theater, opera, and choirs, helped in the difficult task of ‘community building
Community building
Community building is a field of practices directed toward the creation or enhancement of community among individuals within a regional area or with a common interest...
’ in the early years of Ukrainian settlement in Australia. Within a year or two, Ukrainians had formed theatrical societies and choirs in various locations.
While most artists were employed in non-artistic related industries, some like Leonid Denysenko
Leonid Denysenko
Leonid Denysenko is an Australian artist of Ukrainian descent living in Sydney, Australia. He is notable for the introduction of the graphic art technique of "literography". He is the only surviving founding member of the Ukrainian Artists Society of Australia.- Biography and career :Born in Warsaw...
found work in Australia in the field of art, either teaching drawing in public and private schools, or in private graphic art firms. Michael Kmit
Michael Kmit
Michael Kmit was a Ukrainian painter who spent twenty-five of his most productive years in Australia. He is notable for introducing a neo-Byzantine style of painting to Australia, and winning a number of major Australian art prizes including the Blake Prize and the Sulman Prize...
, worked as a porter
Porter (carrier)
A porter, also called a bearer, is a person who shifts objects for others.-Historical meaning:Human adaptability and flexibility early led to the use of humans for shifting gear...
and cleaner of rail carriages in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
while he established himself as "one of Australia's best artists".
History
Although active as individuals, it was only in 1967 that a formal visual artists group was formed, largely through the initiative of Stefan Misko from Canberra. Misko travelled to the various states in Australia, seeking Ukrainian artists and forming them into a collective. This group became the Ukrainian Artists Society of Australia (in Ukrainian by the acronym: СУОМА). Stephen Misko was the founder and president of this organisation, Peter Kravchenko (SydneySydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
) became its secretary, and Orion Wenhrynovych (Melbourne) and Aleksander Chubatyj (Sydney) each served as treasurers.
The Society’s first exhibition was held on 25–31 August 1967 at the Gallery, Canberra Theatre
Canberra Theatre
The Canberra Theatre Centre is the Australian Capital Territory’s central performing arts venue and Australia’s first performing arts centre, the first Australian Government initiated performing arts centre to be completed, that opened on Thursday 24 June 1965 with a gala performance by the...
Centre as part of the Ukrainian National Festival “A Tribute to Australia”, which was opened by the Australian Minister for Immigration Billy Snedden
Billy Snedden
Sir Billy Mackie Snedden, KCMG, QC was an Australian politician representing the Liberal Party. He was Leader of the Opposition at the 1974 federal election, failing to defeat the Labor incumbent Gough Whitlam.-Early life:...
. Nineteen Ukrainian-Australian artists from around Australia took part in this first national exhibition.
The Golden Years
The ‘Golden Years’ of SUOMA (NSW), when it was the most active, was for a period of about 10 years. After 3 months of formation in 1967 it had already staged its first exhibition, and thereafter it had exhibitions once a year until 1976. As well, the Society participated in national exhibitions of SUOMA which were held in 1968, 1971, 1976, as well as participating in the Ukrainian Festival in CanberraCanberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
in both 1967 and 1972.
Achievements
A notable achievement was the winning entry in 1958 by Leonid Denysenko of a design for a stamp on the theme of immigration in an Australian Government competition. In 1968 Leonid and his brother Jurij, won a design competition for an International Memorial-fountain to the immigrants who settled in FairfieldFairfield
-Australia:*Fairfield, New South Wales, the most populous place in Australia with that place name**Electoral district of Fairfield, the corresponding seat in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly*Fairfield, Queensland*Fairfield, Victoria...
, a local government area on the outskirts of Sydney. This monument was erected in the park at the Crescent, Fairfield in 1968.
The most successful of all Australian-Ukrainian artists was Michael Kmit. In 1951 he held his first solo show in Australia at the Macquarie Galleries and received a commendation for his entry in the competition for the new Blake Prize for Religious Art
Blake Prize for Religious Art
The Blake Prize for Religious Art is an annual art prize in Australia.The prize was established in 1949 as an incentive to raise the standard of religious art. Founded by Mr R. Morley, the Reverend Michael Scott SJ, Rector of Newman College, University of Melbourne, and lawyer Mrs M. Tenison, it...
. A year later he took second place in the Blake competition and in 1953
1953 in Australia
See also:1952 in Australia,other events of 1953,1954 in Australia and theTimeline of Australian history.-Incumbents:*Monarch – Elizabeth II*Governor-General – William McKell , then Sir William Slim*Prime Minister – Robert Menzies...
won the prize itself with The Evangelist John Mark.
There followed an impressive series of awards: the Perth Prize (1954), the Critics' Prize for Contemporary Art (1955), the Darcy Morris Memorial Prize (1956) and the Sulman Prize (1957). Kmit's abstract works were acknowledged as making a significant contribution to the Australian abstract movement by Australian art historians. The Australian artists Paul Haefliger wrote:
“Of all the foreign aspirants to art who have visited these shores since the war, Michael Kmit is the only one who has made an impression on the present generation of painters.” Kmit's paintings were bought by national galleries as part of their collections.
Revival
Valentin Shkolny came to Australia and worked privately as a professional photographer, and in 2002 he published a photographic book of his works titled “Juxtapositions: an Intimate Portrait of Sydney” (Longueville Books). His photographs are in the collection of the Powerhouse MuseumPowerhouse Museum
The Powerhouse Museum is the major branch of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences in Sydney, the other being the historic Sydney Observatory...
in Sydney, and he was a finalist in the Archibald Prize
Archibald Prize
The Archibald Prize is regarded as the most important portraiture prize in Australia. It was first awarded in 1921 after a bequest from J. F. Archibald, the editor of The Bulletin who died in 1919...
Photo competition. Lialia and Valentin Varetsa were able to receive commissions for illustrating children's books. Other newly arrived artists Svitlana Soldatova has had solo exhibition in private galleries while Natalia Balo, has won local awards, and has given drawing lessons at a regional arts network.
The Society's cultural ties with artists in Ukraine resulted in a number of visits to Australia, some while Ukraine was still under Soviet control. In 1989 artist Ivan Marchuk
Ivan Marchuk
Ivan Stepanovych Marchuk is a contemporary Ukrainian painter. He was recently listed among the 100 living geniuses. Marchuk invented a unique way of painting his pictures, which he calls "dabbing-on", thus creating an unusual effect of luminescence of his works.-Biography:Ivan Marchuk was born in...
was invited to Australia, where he gained some success. In 1992 artist-sculptor Anatoly Valiyev visited Australia in 1992 and presenting the Ukrainian community in Australia with a bronze monument to Taras Shevchenko
Taras Shevchenko
Taras Hryhorovych Shevchenko -Life:Born into a serf family of Hryhoriy Ivanovych Shevchenko and Kateryna Yakymivna Shevchenko in the village of Moryntsi, of Kiev Governorate of the Russian Empire Shevchenko was orphaned at the age of eleven...
, which was erected in Canberra.
Chapters
The VictoriaVictoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
n chapter of SUOMA, based in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, was headed by Vasyl Czybulsky, and after his death Lyudmyla Hrytsenko.
The first annual convention of SUOMA was held in Melbourne in April 1971 as part of the Second Convention of Ukrainians in Australia. This exhibition displayed works by 19 artists, of whom 8 were from Victoria.
The most active and the longest-lasting of the various SUOMA groups was the New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
chapter. The first members of SUOMA (NSW) were: Michael Sadowskyj (President), Peter Kravchenko (Secretary), Stefan Misko (President of the national SUOMA), Michael Kmit, Leonid Denysenko
Leonid Denysenko
Leonid Denysenko is an Australian artist of Ukrainian descent living in Sydney, Australia. He is notable for the introduction of the graphic art technique of "literography". He is the only surviving founding member of the Ukrainian Artists Society of Australia.- Biography and career :Born in Warsaw...
, Eugenia Koziolkowskyj, Sofia Sywenkyj, Aleksander Chubaty.
During the most active period of the group — the 1960s to 1970s , the role of President was performed by: Michael Sadowskyj, Aleksander Chubaty, Stefan Chwyla, Theodor Nalukowyj and now Paul Kravchenko. The role of Secretary since 1967 to today has been performed by Peter Kravchenko till his death.