FORMATION OF NATIONAL IDENTITY IN THE SYSTEM OF ART EDUCATION IN UKRAINE: THE ROLE OF THE NAFAA LANDSCAPE PAINTING WORKSHOP (1993–2019)

Abstract

The Landscape Painting Workshop of the National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture (hereinafter – NAFAA) represents a significant phenomenon in the development of the Ukrainian artistic space, as it played a key role in shaping national artistic identity. The aim of this study is to analyze the historical genesis and conceptual foundations of the NAFAA Landscape Painting Workshop during the period of 1993–2019, a time of its revival and active development. Special attention is given to the interrelation between the workshop’s activities and the processes of preserving and transforming the Ukrainian national school of landscape painting amidst dynamic socio-cultural changes. Methodology. The research methodology is based on historical and systemic analysis, comparative methods, as well as methods of systematization and generalization. A comprehensive approach allows for tracing the mechanisms of interaction between traditional methods of art education and contemporary challenges in the artistic field. Results. The study analyzes key factors that influenced the revival, development, and gradual decline of the workshop. It identifies the methodological and programmatic foundations of its operation, examines the pedagogical experience of its instructors, and evaluates their role in maintaining national artistic traditions. The article also outlines the prospects for integrating this experience into Ukraine’s modern art education system, which is crucial for preserving national cultural heritage. Conclusions. The establishment and activities of the NAFAA Landscape Painting Workshop from 1993 to 2019 confirm that its existence was closely linked to the affirmation of a national artistic school and its uniqueness. One of the primary reasons for the cessation of the workshop’s activities was the lack of a regulatory legal framework governing the status of genre-based workshops, highlighting the need for developing appropriate legal mechanisms to ensure their continued operation. The preservation and development of national artistic traditions in Ukraine require a systematic approach, which should involve not only educational but also governmental initiatives aimed at supporting artistic directions that shape the country’s cultural identity.