Maria Prymachenko (1908–1997) is one of the most renowned artists in Ukraine. The summer of 2018 sees the Finnish debut of this self-taught artist’s colourful animals, flower arrangements and depictions of folk life. The works belong to the collection of the National Museum of Ukrainian Folk Decorative Art in Kyiv.

Prymachenko’s paintings are filled with imaginative details. They feature beautifully plumed birds and other animals that act in a human manner: they argue, play music and dine together or simply march smartly across the frame. Prymachenko’s symmetrical depictions of decorative floral arrangements display a splendor of colours. Her paintings of traditional life in the Ukrainian countryside are like storybook illustrations.

The Fabulous World of Maria Prymachenko is on display from April 27 to September 2, 2018, on the first floor of the Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova museum (https://bit.ly/2Djtfu2).

During his opening ceremony speech, Ambassador of Ukraine to Finland Andrii Olefirov reminded the audience that the exhibition of Maria Prymachenko is taking place in Finland for the first time; the symbolism of this event in bilateral cultural diplomacy is also added by the fact that, in 2018, the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Finland is celebrated.