The story behind this gift began a year ago in Vienna. After visiting the exhibition “Tell Me the Truth” at the Aula der Wissenschaften, I was so struck by the scale of the works and the artist’s distinctive style that I felt as though I were inside a living book—one I would call Ivan Marchuk’s DNA. The gallery’s massive, bright, white walls resembled pages, and the canvases—stories written in the “Plontanism” font and the handwriting of deep Ukrainian nostalgia. Promising myself to return to the Maestro in a year, I chose a needle and thread instead of words, embodying my feelings in an embroidered canvas.
Three iconic fragments from his most famous paintings and a quote from the Genius were selected for the canvas.The first fragment is the moon from the painting “What a Moonlit Night.” In my opinion, this moon is special because of the imprints of tree branches, which Ivan Marchuk tenderly calls “marchuchkas” in his canvases.
The ripe apple is taken from the wonderful painting “The Last Ray,” which is beautifully illuminated by moonlight.And, of course, the authentic Ukrainian cottages that glisten in the moonlight in the most famous painting, “The Moon Has Risen Over the Dnipro.” A glance at the painting instantly transports you back to a carefree childhood and the early years of falling in love.A special highlight within the contours of the symbolic “DNA” is a famous quote by Ivan Marchuk, which is very close to my heart:“People, hurry to do good”!These four words by the Genius contain remarkable depth, conveying an absolute love for all that God has created. For Ivan Marchuk urges, appeals, dreams, and clearly sets an example so that humanity does not waste time, but hurries to do good.
I worked on the painting for exactly one month, and in that moment, I realized one important thing. Putting aside my family routine for a month, and there (meaning Ivan Marchuk) for a lifetime. In comparison, my work is a drop in a gigantic ocean. As I pass the painting from hand to hand, I ask Ivan Marchuk to accept my humble “drop” into his gigantic “ocean” of creativity.