ANCIENT•CONTEMPORARY

Symbolic Forms of Ukrainian Tradition
Works by Dave Melnychuk

Dave Melnychuk graduated from the Ontario College of Art and Design (then OCA), from the University of Toronto and from the International Academy of Design and Technology.  He studied Communications Design, Graphic Design, Fine Art History and Interior Design.  

He began research into the environments and objects that we create and how they affect our emotional, physical, mental and spiritual well-being. Dave began to see that for his own cultural ancestors, symbolism was, for them, a contemplative aid to guide the intellect.  Dave began to drawn on this symbolism and these traditional art forms to make joyful, his own life and living space. He learned how to embroider and do pysanky as a child. As he discovered and fell in love with other traditional arts and crafts, such as wood carving and leather work, he began to adorn his entire life with traditional Ukrainian patterns and symbols. The process was a confirmation of his own beliefs and it became clear that living with meaning and beauty was illuminating.

Says the artist:

“Traditionally, art wasn’t separate from other aspects of life. It wasn’t analyzed aesthetically, nor was it done for its own sake, removed from practical, everyday considerations. Art was an approach to life, with no divisions of higher or lower forms of art and craft as we insist upon today. Instead, the art of former times consisted of an attitude of reverence for oneself, for one’s community and society at large, for nature in all its forms, and for any and all tasks which people undertook.”

In December 2016, the Ukrainian Museum of Canada, Ontario Branch presented Ancient • Contemporary: Symbolic Forms of Ukrainian Tradition – Works by Dave Melnychuk. Everything in this exhibit was crafted by Dave – pysanky, embroidery, the adornment on the jackets and satchels, the picture frames, the book shelves – even the tissue boxes, transported to the Museum from the artist’s home. This exhibit was a showcase of Dave’s beautiful, joyful, intentional and meaningful life.

Dave Melnychuk is currently writing a book about his four grandparents and the northern Ontario communities of Ukrainian immigrants that they, and their children helped establish and maintain.

A society is reflected in its culture.

These incredible works are a celebration of Ukrainian culture in which beauty is a vital and necessary component. 

Dave made this traditional Ukrainian ritual wedding tree by hand, as well as all of the ornaments and embellishments that decorate and surround it.

When he was a young child, Dave’s mother taught him and his sisters how to write Ukrainian Easter eggs, known as ‘pysanky’. The word pysanka comes from the Ukrainian word ‘pysaty’ which means ‘to write’. Dave has kept up the tradition over the years, often photographing the various batches that he’s made. These images show a small sampling of his work.

These intricate pieces are called ‘Vytynanka’, or paper cutting, and are an ancient Ukrainian decorative art form, deeply rooted in tradition. Vytynanka originates from the word ‘vytynaty’ (‘витинати’) meaning, to cut.

Dave has created these traditional Ukrainian shirts with embroidery styles mainly from the Horodenka region of Western Ukraine, where his maternal grandparents were born and raised, in the village of Serafyntsi.

The various Ukrainian garments pictured here were made by Dave, either from scratch, or transformed from unworn jackets in his closet. They were all hand embroidered, appliquéd and sewn in the styles, motifs, materials, and methods traditionally used in the Carpathian Mountains of Western Ukraine. Many of these would be worn during various wedding rites and ceremonies, and for festive celebrations.

Details, details, details - featuring incredible colour choices, a wide selection of materials, exquisite handwork and unwavering attention to detail.

Drawings of traditional Ukrainian costumes from several regions of Ukraine, chiefly from the ethnographic area of Pokuttia, in the Carpathian Mountains of Western Ukraine. Pictured in these costumes are Dave’s grandparents, parents, sisters, cousins, uncles and aunts along with many friends.

Various Christmas ('Rizdvo') card designs and illustrations.

This beautiful piece is a traditional Ukrainian dowry chest, or storage trunk, that Dave made and painted in a style that is popular in Western Ukraine.

A sampling of various pieces of furniture and home furnishings that Dave made, carved, painted, and decorated with inspiration from traditional styles which originated in the Carpathian mountain region of Western Ukraine.

Photography by Dave Melnychuk • For more imagery from this exhibit please click here