Alexander Zhyvotkov. The Sacred Tablets of Ukraine

An exhibition of contemporary artist Alexander Zhyvotkov will open at the Galleria Cavour municipal gallery in Padua, Italy. The exhibition is organized by the Ukrainian charitable foundation Stedley Art Foundation in cooperation with the municipality of Padua – Department of Culture, as well as under the patronage of the Veneto region, the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine, the Embassy of Ukraine in the Italian Republic, and the Consulate of Ukraine in Milan.

The exhibition “The Sacred Tablets of Ukraine” will present Italian viewers for the first time with over 30 works by Alexander Zhyvotkov, most of which were created after the onset of the full-scale Russian invasion. On February 24th the artist’s studio became his own battlefield where Zhyvotkov fought as an artist for his country. Most of his works are dedicated to specific dates and months, which will be forever linked to heart-rending events in history. Bucha, Mariupol, Kherson, Irpin, and Vinnytsia. 

This war has caused Ukraine a lot of pain, despair, and misery and the artist carves these emotions in his sculptural reliefs and sunk reliefs in stone and wood.

Alexander Zhyvotkov belongs to a rare creed of artists who focus their art on the tragedy of being and human moral ideals. His art is truly genuine and his expressive bas-reliefs in wood and stone have an deep effect on the spectator as they document tragic events and remind us of the frailty of humanism in the real world.

“The City of Padova Mayor’s Office in collaboration with Galleria Cavour proudly present artworks by Alexander Zhyvotkov, a celebrated Ukrainian artist with an established name.

Notably, in February 2022 at the start of the Russian full-scale invasion the artist stayed in Kyiv – his home city, and continued to work on projects in his studio all the while the enemy missiles targeted Ukraine’s capital. And this is absolutely vital in deciphering his art because Zhyvotkov’s artwork is saturated with profound references to the immense tragedy suffered by the Ukrainian people.

By supporting this exhibition, we want to express the closeness of our Mayor’s Office and our city to the Ukrainian nation, we also hope that the cultural ties between our two nations will help establish peace and return to the rule of international law.”

Andrea Colasio, Councillor for Culture in the City of Padova

“I am immensely proud to present to the Italian public Alexander Zhyvotkov – his work in my opinion signifies a revolutionary turning point in the history of contemporary art in Ukraine and the whole of Eastern Europe. Zhyvotkov has burst onto the art scene by breaking away from the confines of traditional artistic practices and experimenting with different approaches which combine the artistic legacy of great bygone civilisations and deep spirituality.

The selection of Zhyvotkov’s artwork on display in Padova is characterised by unique aesthetic which elevates it above the rest on the contemporary art scene. New discoveries await those who delve deep into the artist’s mystic messages which take us back to the basics and the true meaning of our existence.”

Professor Nicola Franco Balloni, Director of the Italian Institute of Culture in Ukraine (2003–2009, 2012–2015)

Founder of the Stedley Art Foundation: Stella Beniaminova

Curator of the Stedley Art Foundation: Tatyana Voloshyna 

Italian curator: Lyudmila Vladova Olenovich 

In collaboration with the Municipality of Padua 

Free admission

Opening times:

Tuesday to Friday: 11:00 to 13:30 from 14:00 to 19:30

Saturday to Sunday: 10:00 to 13:30 з 14:00 to 19:30