UKRAINIAN FOLK PAINTING AS A MEANS OF EXPRESSING CULTURAL IDENTITY

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to explore the phenomenon of Ukrainian folk painting as a means of expressing cultural identity.
Research methodology. The article includes reviews of fundamental works by Ukrainian and foreign scholars on
issues of cultural identity (M. Hibernau, A. Smith, O. Yakovlev, I. Lysyi, N. Kryvda, S. Storozhuk, R. Polishchuk, P.
Herchanivska) and folk art (O. Naiden, V. Starchenko, O. Lishchynska), which provide the theoretical basis for
interpreting the folk picture as a cultural phenomenon. Scientific articles by A. Boiko, I. Boitsun, A. Burlaki, G.
Gatsenko, S. Sabri, and G. Kostenko have also been reviewed, which highlight a similar perspective on the study of
cultural identity, but relate to other cultural and artistic phenomena.
Results. The research presents a comprehensive review and analysis of Ukrainian and foreign research on the concepts
of cultural identity and Ukrainian folk painting, leading to their conceptualisation within a unified cultural framework. It
substantiates the thesis that national identity is formed on the basis of cultural identity, revealing a close interconnection
between them. Ukrainian folk painting is shown to be a powerful means of representing cultural identity, as its imagery
system is rooted in the archetypes of Ukrainian mentality, folklore motifs, and symbols that embody the spiritual values of
society. It is argued that cultural identity can’t exist apart from the material forms of culture, among which Ukrainian folk
painting occupies a special position as a representative of the national visual tradition. Furthermore, the paper highlights the
contemporary context of folk painting, emphasizing its revitalisation in artistic practices and exhibition projects developed
after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Novelty. A new approach to studying cultural identity through the analysis of such a phenomenon of Ukrainian
art as folk painting is proposed. It has been proven that folk painting has a pronounced national character, preserving
ancient archetypes and symbols of Ukrainian culture. Contemporary trends in the actualisation of this phenomenon in
artistic practices after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine have been identified.
The practical significance. The possibility of using the results obtained in education, scientific, museum and
exhibition activities.