The Avant-Garde Phenomenon in the Ukrainian Textile Art of the XX Century

Abstract

The early XX th century is a bright phenomenon in the history of decorative art in Ukraine. This is a period of active cooperation between famous avant-garde artists and folk-art masters. The article examines a unique creative experiment of professional and folk artists implemented in the A. Semigradova`s craft workshops in the village of Skoptsy and N. Davydova`s craft workshops in the village of Verbovka. It was these workshops that had differences in their artistic orientation. The art of the famous folk craftswomen G. Sobachko, P. Vlasenko, G. Tsybulyova, who came from there, is analyzed in the article. The works of the professional artists A. Ekster, K. Malevich, L. Popova, O. Rozanova, N. Genke-Meller also are being studied. The folk craftsmen embroidered artistic works based on their sketches and performed ideas of suprematism in this way. Professional artists paid attention to embroidery as the most expressive type of decorative art. It is indicated that the artistic style of decorative panels, carpets, as well as interior decoration and costume items was a new word in the art and brought Ukrainian embroidery to the highest level of development. Such cooperation contributed to the mutual enrichment of the works of folk-art masters and avant-garde artists. Joint innovative research proves the fact that the Ukrainian embroidery of the early XX century, developed in the context of artistic trends at that time, was a synthesis of decorative and fine arts.