Architecture News

In a compelling effort to safeguard and spotlight a vital aspect of cultural heritage, GUNIA Project and Assouline have collaborated to release a seminal publication. This ambitious project aims to gather and present the rich and often fragmented history of Ukrainian naïve art, offering a profound insight into its unique visual language and its broader cultural significance. The book, a culmination of years of dedicated research, is not merely a collection of artworks but a vibrant testament to resilience and the enduring power of artistic expression rooted in everyday life and tradition.

Celebration of Ukrainian Naïve Art: A New Publication's Journey to Global Recognition

On September 17, 2026, the cultural world witnessed a significant event at Maison Assouline on Piccadilly in London: the grand unveiling of “Naïve My Love: Ukrainian Folk Art of the 20th Century.” This comprehensive 304-page volume, a joint venture between GUNIA Project and Assouline, represents an unprecedented consolidation of Ukrainian naïve art from the twentieth century. Spearheaded by GUNIA Project founders Maria Gavryliuk and Natalia Kamenska, and meticulously edited by Kyiv-based curator and publisher Lidia Lykhach, with narrative contributions from Ukrainian journalist Anna Lodygina, the book delves into an artistic movement forged beyond traditional academic confines, intricately linking it to Ukrainian folk customs and the revolutionary European avant-garde.

The genesis of this publication traces back many years, predating the current Assouline edition. Since its establishment in 2017, GUNIA Project has been immersed in exploring and documenting Ukrainian cultural inheritance through diverse collections and archives. For “Naïve My Love,” this investigative journey evolved into an endeavor to reconstruct a scattered historical narrative, uniting artworks diligently preserved across the nation by museums, private collectors, families, and cultural bodies. Notable pieces featured include Maria Prymachenko’s 1978 “Our Army, Our Guardians,” Sofia Homeniuk’s 1971 “Separation,” Vasyl Dovhoshyia’s 1920s “Hare,” Dmytro Perepelytsia’s 1930s “Still Life with Watermelon,” and Panas Yarmolenko’s 1920s “Portrait of Uliana, the Artist’s Wife.” The collection also pays tribute to works with histories beyond institutional walls, such as “Family on the Road” and “Cossack Mamai” by unknown artists, and Hanna Hotvianska’s “Bleaching Canvas,” showcasing enduring textile traditions. Poignantly, Polina Raiko’s vibrant paintings of her home in Oleshky, Kherson Oblast, created between 1998 and 2004, serve as a fragile reminder of cultural loss, as her house was tragically destroyed in a recent conflict.

The meticulous assembly of this research into an internationally recognized publication necessitated a broad network of collaboration, with the partnership with Assouline spanning over three years of intensive work. GOGOLA media agency played a pivotal role in bridging this ambitious cultural concept with an international publishing platform. This collective endeavor, drawing on the expertise of researchers, museums, and countless individuals, has culminated in a rigorous portrayal of Ukrainian naïve art.

The Enduring Significance of Art in Challenging Times

This project extends far beyond the mere act of publishing a book; it is an urgent declaration of cultural sovereignty. In a period where institutions and physical repositories of cultural memory face peril, documenting and preserving this artistic legacy becomes paramount. The founders passionately articulate that culture is not a secondary concern but a fundamental element for which Ukraine is currently contending. In the face of threats and destruction to museums, archives, monuments, and cultural memory, research and documentation transform into acts of preservation and assertions of cultural identity.

Moreover, Gavryliuk and Kamenska advocate for sustained investment in Ukrainian culture, envisioning the establishment of robust long-term frameworks for research, education, and creative dialogue. They underscore the importance of ensuring that Ukrainian culture's international visibility transcends its association with ongoing conflicts. By fostering opportunities not only to preserve but also to study, reinterpret, and engage with global cultural conversations on an equal footing, “Naïve My Love” serves both as a historical record and a vibrant starting point for future exploration. It aims to empower a new generation of Ukrainian creatives by offering a profound understanding of their extraordinary visual heritage, not as an unchangeable relic but as dynamic material for questioning, transformation, and progression.

Internationally, the book endeavors to redefine the perception of Ukrainian culture, asserting that its naïve art possesses its own distinct history, celebrated creators, and unique visual language, meriting its rightful place within the global artistic canon, rather than being confined to Russian or Soviet frameworks or dismissed as mere regional folklore.

In an insightful discussion part of the Navigators of Design series, Malin Gäfvert, the Creative Director at Aarke, a prominent kitchen appliance company, discusses how her approach transcends traditional functional design. She envisions everyday household items not merely as tools to be stored away, but as essential elements that enhance the aesthetic and experience of daily living, transforming them into cherished artifacts. This perspective shifts the focus from concealed utility to visible, aspirational design.

Malin elaborates on Aarke's foundational principle, which began with recognizing a void in the kitchen appliance market for aesthetically pleasing and durable products. Their mission was to replace short-lived, plastic-heavy items with meticulously crafted objects designed to be prominently displayed and to withstand the test of time, both functionally and visually. Aarke, established in 2013 by industrial designers Carl Ljungh and Jonas Groth, aims to elevate often-overlooked home essentials. Gäfvert's role involves sculpting the brand's identity, integrating product aesthetics with interior design trends and fashion sensibilities. She views Aarke's visual language as a fusion of various design disciplines, moving beyond the typical appliance brand image to celebrate how their products seamlessly fit into and improve daily routines, embodying an 'Everyday Engineering' philosophy.

Aarke's creative direction is characterized by a deliberate shift from emphasizing basic functionality to imparting deeper significance, allowing the brand to weave a cohesive story across its product range. They treat each item as a design piece from its inception, infusing a sense of value into routine tasks and elevating them into meaningful rituals. The brand's visual content strategically combines detailed product shots that highlight materials and form with dynamic lifestyle imagery. This strategy incorporates authentic human interaction to add warmth and context, moving beyond a cold minimalist aesthetic. The creative director notes that minimalism can feel detached without a compelling narrative, which Aarke addresses by balancing precise engineering visuals with portrayals of real-life moments, often captured with ambient light and analogue film. This interplay between engineered precision and everyday authenticity creates a distinctive and recognizable brand identity. By prioritizing user-centric design that addresses minor inconveniences and avoids fleeting trends, Aarke ensures its products, packaging, and retail environments consistently reflect a unified, high-quality standard, continually adapting its communication style to cultural moments while preserving its core principles of durability, longevity, and thoughtful design.

Aarke’s innovative approach not only elevates household appliances but also inspires a fresh perspective on how design can positively influence our daily lives. By prioritizing aesthetics, durability, and a compelling brand narrative, Aarke demonstrates that even the most functional objects can become sources of joy and beauty, encouraging us to seek and appreciate quality in every aspect of our surroundings.