By Ukrainian Institute
https://treasures.ui.org.ua
Lyubov Panchenko 1938 - 2022
One summer, the artist was given a little crow which she raised and tamed. That's how her friends remembered her: tall and slender with a long black braid, and a crow sitting on her shoulder.
Childhood
Lyubov Panchenko was born in 1938. Her parents never approved of her passion for drawing. As a child, Lyuba was slapped on the hands if she took a pencil. She did not receive help from her family when she was studying at art college, so she ate poorly and her health suffered.
Sketch of a costume by Lyubov PanchenkoUkrainian Institute
Lyubov found her true calling by becoming a fashion designer
She created sketches of clothes, decorative paintings, fabric applications, graphics, and paintings. The embroidery designs by Lyubov Panchenko were published by the main women's magazine of Ukraine “Soviet Woman.” These patterns were then copied by masters throughout the country
Objects are part of online-project "60's. The Lost Treasures"
Lyubov PanchenkoUkrainian Institute
She always supported the Ukrainian language and culture.
Panchenko painted pysanky (easter eggs), embroidered national costumes for choirs, and raised money to help political prisoners. With her participation, the tradition of Christmas caroling and Ukrainian vertep (nativity scene) was revived in Kyiv
Motherhood by Lyubov PanchenkoUkrainian Institute
Artworks
In all of Panchenko's works, regardless of the medium, there are Ukrainian motifs. She knows folk art well and relies on it in her own work. In particular, she intertwines national ornaments in drawings and clothing design.
Objects are part of online-project "60's. The Lost Treasures"
Recognition
The fate of Lyubov has been dramatic. In Soviet times, her works were not exhibited nor published. She only survived by making embroidery. Today, the artist's works can be seen in the private collections of her friends as well as in the Museum of the Sixtiers in Kyiv.
Lyubov Panchenko. Guli - creature from myths and fairytales. Collage with coat fabric. Object is a part of online-project "60's. The Lost Treasures"
Collage with coat fabric. Object is a part of online-project "60's. The Lost Treasures"
Objects are part of online-project "60's. The Lost Treasures"
Mother's fairy tale by Lyubov PanchenkoUkrainian Institute
Occupation & death
After her husband's death, the artist lived in their home in Bucha. She faced the occupation alone in March 2022. She managed to survive the occupation, but died shortly after being released from exhaustion.
Photos of the artworks and photo of artist were provided by the Museum of the Sixties as part of an online project "60's. The Lost Treasures"
