Kyiv Art Sessions Festival — recently shortlisted for the prestigious SABRE Award and honored with a Letter of Appreciation from the Ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Mr. Valerii Zaluzhnyi — returns to the iconic London venue Old Sessions House for its Spring 2025 season.
The theme of this season, "A Mirror of the History of Ukrainian Art," is dedicated to unveiling the centuries-old history of Ukrainian visual art, from the times of Kyivan Rus to the present day.
The festival programme will feature an exhibition of artworks, along with cultural, educational, and musical events.
The proceeds from artwork sales will be donated to charitable causes.
The programme :
“The History of Ukrainian Art” Exhibition and sale. Guided TourThis spring season the festival Kyiv Art Sessions will feature a large-scale exhibition and sale of works by Ukrainian artists, “The History of Ukrainian Art.”
The exhibition showcases over 30 artworks by prominent Ukrainian artists, spanning from the era of Kyivan Rus to contemporary pieces created during the ongoing full-scale war in Ukraine.
The works will be presented as ultra-high-quality museum-grade prints — high-tech reproductions that preserve the visual depth and detail of the originals.
“The History of Ukrainian Art” is curated as a chronological narrative, divided into seven thematic chapters:●Sacred OriginsIcons with Byzantine roots, early frescoes, and the artistic spirit of Kyivan Rus● Baroque and the Cossack SoulThe expressiveness of Ukrainian Baroque, folk ornamentation, and the emergence of a national style● Romanticism and RealismThe awakening of national identity in the 19th century through landscape, portraiture, and social themes● Modernism and the Avant-GardeWorld-shaping experiments by artists such as Alexandra Exter, Kazimir Malevich, and Vasyl Yermylov● Art Under OppressionThe language of silence and symbolism under soviet rule, including nonconformist and underground movements● Independence and RevivalA post-1991 explosion of artistic pluralism — diverse, global, and unapologetically Ukrainian● Art in WartimeA selection of powerful works created during and in response to russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine — honest, compelling, and deeply human.
For too long, the history of Ukrainian art remained in the shadows — perceived as a derivative of russian or broader Eastern European schools. Yet Ukraine has always had its own voice, shaped by cultural crossroads, a pluralistic society, and a centuries-long struggle for autonomy. Today, as the world witnesses a fight not only for Ukrainian territory but for its very identity, art emerges as a vital witness.
By presenting this exhibition in London, we aim to deepen cultural dialogue, draw attention to Ukraine’s artistic legacy, and create a space for empathy, understanding, and a shared vision of the future.
The exhibition is a project of the Vivid Fusion Foundation, curated by Maxym Vityk — artist, geologist, and founder of the foundation — and acclaimed Ukrainian artist Hanna Kryvolap.
A significant portion of the proceeds from artwork sales will be donated to charitable causes.
“What is a Value of Art, In Wartime? ” Talk with Constance UzwyshynAn important part of the Kyiv Art Sessions festival, as in previous seasons, remains the conversations with experts.As part of the visual section of the programme, we will have a meeting with art historian, researcher, and renowned expert on contemporary Ukrainian art — Konstantsa Uzvyshyn.
This conversation will combine deep academic expertise, international context, and sincere dedication to Ukrainian culture.Konstantsa Uzvyshyn holds a PhD in Slavic Studies from Fitzwilliam College, University of Cambridge, and has taught at prestigious art institutions in London, including Central Saint Martins and the Royal Academy of Arts. Today, Konstantsa is an advisor on cultural and creative industries at the Ukrainian Institute in London.
Since 1997, Konstantsa Uzvyshyn has been one of the key figures in representing Ukrainian art internationally. She founded ARTEast Gallery — the first private commercial gallery in independent Ukraine, which introduced Ukrainian artists to Western audiences. Among her curatorial projects is the influential exhibition “Great Ukrainian Women Artists” (1995–1998), which became a milestone in the history of women’s art in Ukraine.
Currently, Konstantsa is focused on researching the visualisation of violence in wartime art — a painful but highly relevant topic.During the conversation, we will hear the art historian’s personal vision regarding the artistic value, evaluation criteria, and potential of Ukrainian art on the global stage.
Public Talk
This season’s traditional panel discussion will be dedicated to the rapid development of Ukrainian art during wartime and its impact on global cultural content.
Moderator – Edward Akrout
Concert of Ukrainian Classical MusicThe musical part of the event features a concert of works by prominent Ukrainian composers — Borys Lyatoshynsky, Valentyn Silvestrov, and Maksym Shalyhin — performed by the outstanding pianist Antonii Baryshevskyi.Antonii Baryshevskyi is a unique and exceptional Ukrainian pianist. Everyone who has heard his performance calls him a musical genius — a definition that is absolutely justified.
Antonii Baryshevskyi is a Laureate of the Levko Revutsky Prize, and a winner of prestigious international competitions, including the Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition, Premio Jaén, and the F. Busoni International Piano Competition. He is a teacher and visiting professor at the Davidsbündler Music Academy, and a regular participant of the Landesakademie summer music academy in Ochsenhausen (Germany).
He has toured in nearly all European countries, as well as in Israel, Morocco, South Korea, the USA, and Japan, and has performed on the world’s leading stages, such as Wigmore Hall, Konzerthaus Berlin, Berliner Philharmonie, Kölner Philharmonie, The Royal Concertgebouw, Warsaw Philharmonic, and Teatro Comunale di Bologna.
He has performed with leading European orchestras, including the Munich Radio Orchestra, The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, and Filarmonica Arturo Toscanini, under the baton of conductors such as Asher Fisch, Frederic Chaslin, Howard Griffiths, Oksana Lyniv, Andrey Boreyko, Kirill Karabits, and many others.
Antonii Baryshevskyi is a well-known promoter and performer of contemporary Ukrainian music.
Dom Master Klass is proud of its long-standing collaboration with the pianist. Among our joint projects are some of the best musical programmes. Antonii has repeatedly performed on the stage of the Bouquet Kyiv Stage festival in Kyiv, and in 2022 — in Oxford.

The Kyiv Art Sessions Festival in London is a charity event. Funds raised from the event will go directly to support the Ukrainian artist community – those who continue to live, create, and inspire amidst the ongoing unprovoked war of russia against Ukraine.
Organisers:
Dom Master Klass, a Ukrainian cultural centre, a non-profit organisation that envisions its mission in the development and promotion of Ukrainian culture in Ukraine and worldwide.
Art Shield is a non-profit organisation committed to nurturing and empowering artists around the world, especially those threatened by censorship, oppression or war. In 2023, Art Shield initiated the Echoes and Visions project, which focuses on researching the work of Ukrainian artists, supporting and promoting them worldwide. In 2024, together with Dom Master Klass, the organisation held two major events in London – the Cultural Soirée “Culture vs War: Antytila” at the Electric Cinema, London, on 22 May 2024, and the Kyiv Art Sessions festivals (28-30 June and 19-20 October 2024). Art Shield also opened a large-scale long- term exhibition of Ukrainian contemporary artists “Echoes and Visions” at the Knotel at the Old Sessions House.https://artshield.org
Partners: Vivid Fusion is a new Ukrainian cultural platform dedicated to preserving and sharing visual heritage of Ukraine through museum-quality art prints and curated experiences. Vivid Fusion works in collaboration with artists, archives, museums, and collectors to bring Ukrainian art to a global audience – thoughtfully, respectfully, and with deep commitment to its context.www.vividfusion.art – coming soon.
Knotel at Old Sessions House is a flagship flexible workspace and event venue situated in a restored Grade II-listed former courthouse in Clerkenwell, London. Combining 18th-century architectural grandeur with modern amenities, it offers a range of adaptable spaces designed to accommodate diverse working styles and events.https://knotel.com/
Paradox Public Relations is a full-service communications firm headquartered in the United States, specializing in media strategies at the intersection of emerging technology and public policy. With offices in New York City, Washington D.C., San Francisco, Kyiv, and London, Paradox has executed media campaigns for both privately held and publicly traded companies, securing placements in top-tier outlets such as The New York Times, The Economist, The Guardian, and The Wall Street Journal.https://paradoxpr.com/