35x16x14 cm, Terracotta
A gift of Oleksandr Mykhaliuk and Raisa Maievska, 2015
The artist repeatedly turned to the theme of motherhood. Among his characters are happy mothers who embrace babies and play with the children, full of peaceful family happiness. But there are also dramatic works where mothers and their children are depicted in difficult moments, devoid of hope, confused, and oppressed.
The sculpture “Mama i Dity” (Mother and Children) speaks for itself. In the mother’s figure embracing her children, one can feel despair and pain, compelling the viewer to empathise. While the woman proudly raises her head as if accepting the challenge of fate, the children’s figures, hunched and tense, intensify the feelings of sadness and anxiety. The theme of wandering, a challenging childhood, and life’s trials was very close to the sculptor’s heart. He belonged to a generation of people who lived through war, famine, and emigration. His generation was forced to mature quickly and was deprived of the opportunity to enjoy youth. Therefore, he conveys his emotions and, perhaps, memories through this sculptural composition.