HILISM in New York
17 May - 16 June
[ Press Release ]

 

 

The Ukrainian Institute of America is pleased to announce the first U.S. exhibition of the Ukrainian artist Michael Murphenko, “HILISM”. 

The exhibition is comprised of 50 uncomfortable oils and graphics, displaying blinding color and iconic subject matter.

The opening reception, will be held at the Ukrainian Institute on Thursday, May 17th from 6 to 8 p.m.  The exhibition runs through to June 16th, 2007. 

Murphenko's HILISM is derived from the Latin hilum - "little thing" or "trifle"- it stands for "something". HILISM is the philosophy of the nucleus - no matter how small, it is the only thing that makes sense.

Michael Murphenko (Murphy) was born in Scotland, grew up in Australia, studied art in Germany and Belgium. Michael came to live in Ukraine and took the pseudonym Murphenko in 1999. 

Critics comments:

“The paintings of Murphenko are uncomfortable.  As uncomfortable as when a once familiar acquaintance unexpectedly makes a gesture of sincerity.  We feel lost and, deep in our soul, frightened by this gesture of openness to the world.  We fear that, possibly, we too will have to take off the armor of coarseness.”

Lubko Deresh, writer, Lviv, Ukraine

“The originality of Michael’s art style is precisely the consequence of his openness.  The sincerity in the paintings speaks and is felt without external manifestos.  And the simplest of images – a woman with a child, lovers, flowers, – is always directed towards the internal experience of the event or the moment, rather than towards the symbol of visualization. 

Kostyantyn Doroshenko, art critic, curator, Kyiv, Ukraine

This exhibition is supported by:
FOLGAT AG (www.folgat.com)
Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the UN
Consulate General of Ukraine in New York.

Gestures of Openness

Cultural Nomadism

Exhibitions:

Tadzio Gallery
Kyiv, Ukraine 2007