Ukrainian Symbols and Archetypes in the Historical and Folklore Imagery of Irena Nosyk

Abstract

The paper examines the concepts of “symbol” and “archetype” and their realization in the artistic thinking of the CanadianUkrainian artist Irena Nosyk. The interest in the use of archetypes as a primary scheme and their subsequent expression in art through the objectification of symbols were examined. The significance of the “spiritual memory of Ukrainian people,” which inspired the artist to depict significant events in the history of Ukrainian culture, was traced. Mythological, historical and folklore imagery in the art of Irena Nosyk were analyzed, in particular: the Scythian woman, Prince Igor Svyatoslavovych, Prince Volodymyr the Great, ethnic Hutsuls, mythical creatures—mavkas. Legends and chronicles are considered primary sources for creating this imagery. At the same time, Christian images in Nosyk’s works served as an indisputable means of systematic and purposeful influence on the viewer’s inner world. The elements of Hutsul life and clothing in Irena Nosyk’s works are analyzed. Parallels between her canvases and the works of other artists, including Petro Andrusiv and Viktor Vasnetsova, are drawn. The features of the creative method of the artist are highlighted in regard to a color-tonal palette, with brown-pink tones signifying the supernatural world. The paper aims to clarify the root causes of the use ofsymbols and archetypes by Irena Nosyk in her art. The methods used were comparative-historical, analogy and synthesis, as well as specialized art analysis methods, such as: iconological, iconographic, formal analysis, and semiotic. It was concluded that a secret language of semantic fields full of symbolic ciphers is a trademark feature of Irena Nosyk’s creativity.