From May 1 to June 12, the Museum of Theatre, Music and Cinema of Ukraine is hosting the exhibition project Theatre. Painting by Anna Dukhovychna — a Ukrainian scenographer, costume designer, painter, and founder and curator of UAScenography.
Anna Dukhovychna is a graduate of the National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture and one of the last students of the outstanding scenographer Danylo Lider. Her professional practice encompasses scenography, costume design, painting, and curatorial projects. Working with leading theatres in Ukraine and across Europe, the artist has developed her own visual language in which theatrical thinking is combined with painterly expression.
Dedication to theatre is central to Anna Dukhovychna’s artistic practice. Even in her easel paintings, her works are structured according to the principles of scenography: space, light, rhythm, and the interaction of forms create a coherent artistic context. In scenography, the artist approaches theatrical space as a system of visual markers, where set design, costume, poster, and lighting form a unified atmosphere even before the stage action begins.
A special place in her oeuvre is occupied by costume design and large-scale theatrical productions. Among her recent projects is Creon, an opera by Dmytro Bortnianskyi staged at the Olga Kobylianska Chernivtsi Music and Drama Theatre. This large-scale production of the composer’s rediscovered opera became a significant event in contemporary Ukrainian theatre. In this work, both the scenographic concept and costume design played an integral role in reinterpreting the classical musical material.
The exhibition Theatre. Painting presents paintings, scenographic designs, and costumes from various productions, allowing visitors to trace the connection between the artist’s theatrical and studio practices. The exhibition reveals the process of creating artistic imagery in both theatre and painting while demonstrating Anna Dukhovychna’s distinctive approach to working with space, light, and form.
A pleasant addition to the exhibition was a series of author-led tours conducted by Anna herself. One of these tours was attended by students of the I. K. Karpenko-Karyi Kyiv National University of Theatre, Cinema and Television.
Another special event will mark the conclusion of the exhibition.
On June 14 at 5:00 PM, a presentation of Anna’s works will take place in the courtyard of Pportum (22 Verkhnii Val Street, Podil) as part of the legendary “One-Day Exhibitions” series.
