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“Embroidered miracle of “Crimean Poltavka”

Kirovograd Regional Art Museum opened an exhibition of Honored Master of Folk Art of Ukraine, the hero of Ukraine Vira Royik (1911-2010) "embroidered miracle" of “Crimean Poltavka” dedicated to “Independence Day of Ukraine” on August 19, 2014.

ViraRoyik was born on April 25, 1911 in Lubny in the Poltava oblast. Her mother was a graphic artist, her father was a railroader. Starting from her early childhood Vira was fond of painting, playing the piano and choreography, and over the years she took more and more interest in embroidery. The first towel was made by her for her uncle “Volodya” - she called her relative in this way, who was a close friend of her family. After that her parents presented her a pretty Ukrainian suit which she wanted to embroider with some patterns. After graduating from gymnasium Vira worked in Lyubenskaguild of embroiders, where she took lots of experience. There she also began to rethink folk patterns and combine the traditional elements of the author's works. They immediately began to be differentiated at exhibitions, in which young mistress involved.

Vira had been living in the Crimea all these years and tried to develop here Ukrainian decorative and applied arts, as she said “The example of my native Poltava, where there is a strong tradition of folk art”. She called herself “Crimean Poltavka”. ViraRoyik mastered more than 300 kinds of embroidery techniques, but preferred her native Poltava seams. There are fantastic flowers and marvelous patterns, red cocks, sun and holiday and wedding motives. She considered the color and pattern to be the most important. She chose the thread which my heart told me to choose. She embroidered crosses, Poltava stitches, towel seams and a wide variety of brass.

ViraRoyik is a member of the National union ok Ukraine, member of National union of craftsmen of Ukraine, member of Union of artists of USSR, honored member of the Association of Crimean scientists and Shevchenko “Prosvita” association, honored member of Kobylyaky town,laureate of the Association of National Societies and communities of peoples of the Crimea and the National Culture Fund, laureate of the State Prize of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, winner of the Prize named afterKorolenko,3^rd degree order of the duchess Olha (2001), International 1^st degree order of Mykola the Wonder-worker “For rebounding of the good on earth” (2003). For her merits she was awarded with the golden medals of republican exhibitions of 1967-1972, medals "For Valiant Labor", "BohdanKhmelnytsky" and "Builder of Ukraine" honorary II of the International Festival of Arts in Heredzhy Izmir (Turkey), many diplomas, gratitudes and other rewards.

More than seven hundred publications published materials about the famous Crimean embroiderer, who wrote an excellent book "Ringtones on canvas. Memories.Embroidery.Review”.Name of ViraRoyikis mentioned in more than 360 directories, catalogs, albums, dictionaries, published in 11 languages. Today, dozens of master works are kept in almost 40 museums in Ukraine, foreign countries and in private collections in Ukraine and abroad.

In April 2006, on the occasion of the anniversary,An International Prize named after V. Royikwas implemented,which was awarded by the Presidium fund international awards for her significant contribution to the enhancement of national traditions and achievements of Ukrainian embroidery with the award of a gold medal№1 and diploma and the order of Saint Varvara.

Her works are presented in 36 museums and galleries in Ulkraine and all over the world. In Crimea, shefounded the school of Ukrainian folk embroidery, museum of craftsmen. AlsoVira teaches her students. Among them is her granddaughter Alina Royik and granddaughter Julia Abramova.

The basis of her creativity is a geometric pattern using a variety of embroidery techniques like "cross", "zatyahanky", "troyanki", "lyahivky", "zanyzuvannya", "buckwheat", "column" etc. The subject of her work is diverse, as well as their practical importance. The subjects of her works is diversifiedand taken from reality, from life. For her embroidery craftswomen inherent conciseness in color, crisp picture, rigor in the choice of material, emotional expressiveness, perfect technique.On October 3rd, 2010 ViraRoyikpassed away, but left a huge artistic heritage, which is more than a thousand original works, more than three hundred of which she madebyher own ornaments.

ViraRoyik organized more than 150 personal exhibitions of her works "Ukrainian towel" in all regions of Ukraine and in Russia, Germany, Bulgaria, Poland, Turkey, also she participated in 287 general art exhibitions in the USSR, Ukraine and abroad, particularly in Belgium, France, Hungary, Italy, Mongolia, USA, Croatia. The Towels of ViraRoyik became her destiny.

It’s the second exhibition in Kirovograd Regional Art museum. The first one was hold in 2006 and called “Ukrainian towel”. Vira, her granddaughter Alina Royik and granddaughter Julia Abramova opened it. Today's exhibit is a traveling exhibition that takes place at the initiative of the Vira’sson Vadim Royik and represents not only the art of the masters, but also works of her students. This exhibition came to Kirovograd from Vinnitsa then it will travel to Poltava.

Due to the opening of this exhibition the fans ofVira will be able to touch her work, enjoy the unique embroidery.

Life and work of ViraRoyikis a vivid example of the service to her people, asceticism and devotion to her national culture.

 

 

Tatiana Kostenko, researcher of the Kirovograd Regional Art Museum of

Art Gallery of Peter Ossowski "world and Motherland."