THE ART OF PETRYKIVKA PAINTER OLHA CHEROMUSHKINA IN GERMANY

Abstract

The objective of this article is a comprehensive study and conceptualization of Olha Cheromushkina’s oeuvre as a key factor in the modernization and reinterpretation of authentic Petrykivka painting within the contemporary art space. Research Methodology. The study is grounded in the historical-biographical method to trace the artist's life and creative path, as well as her formation as a professional; the formal- stylistic method, which is central to art historical articles, used for the detailed description and interpretation of artworks; the functional-contextual method to evaluate the artist's works not only as art but also as a social and cultural phenomenon; and methods of generalization and interpretation to treat her creativity as a visual metaphor for the connection between historical heritage and the present. Results. The study traces the evolution of her artistic journey: from the consistent assimilation of classical canons to the formation of a unique authorial style characterized by the synthesis of archaic motifs with innovative visual solutions. A key aspect is the analysis of Cheromushkina’s work as a means of powerful cultural diplomacy and a tool for preserving national identity amidst the Russian-Ukrainian war. The artist decisively departs from the stereotypical perception of Petrykivka exclusively as a genre of small-scale souvenir forms, revealing its monumental and sacral potential. This is evidenced by her significant urban and sacral projects. Considerable attention is paid to the artist's experimental approach, manifested in the creation of large- format art installations (giant pysanky for Kyiv festivals, volumetric concrete "Tetrapod" structures), which translate traditional ornamentation into the space of contemporary land art and the urban environment. Conclusions. The study of Olga Cheromushkina’s oeuvre attests to her role as a catalyst for the modernization of Petrykivka painting, transforming it from an ethnographic phenomenon into a contemporary artistic practice. The artist radically expands the genre and stylistic boundaries of the tradition, transmuting small-scale souvenir painting into monumental and sacral forms (urban interventions, church murals). Her work serves a strategic function of cultural diplomacy, asserting Ukrainian identity within the European space. By integrating traditional ornamentation into new media (installations, art objects), Cheromushkina facilitates a dialogue between the archaic and contemporary global art.