On April 7, 2025, the grand opening of a group exhibition by teachers and students of the Faculty of Design of KNUTD "SUNFLOWER – A SYMBOL OF UKRAINE!" was held at the Exhibition Center of KNUTD "Art Space". The exhibition presents works made in different techniques and styles, but all of them are united by the theme of the "sunflower" as a national symbol of Ukraine. Among the authors of the exposition are both experienced teachers of KNUTD, members of the Union of Designers of Ukraine and the National Union of Artists of Ukraine Yevhen Gula, Anatoly Shapoval, Oleksandr Krotevych, Oksana Maznichenko, Alla Osadcha, Swiatoslaw Podlewsky, Oleksandr Vasyliev, as well as bachelor and master students of the Faculty of Design, majoring in "Graphic Design", "Multimedia Design", and "Design (by type)".

The exebition was opened by the Rector of KNUTD Ivan Gryshchenko, Professor, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Academician of the National Academy of Pedagogical Sciences of Ukraine. In his speech, Ivan Mykhailovych highlighted the achievements of KNUTD as the leading design school in Ukraine, which consistently ranks highly in global standings. He emphasized the significance of events like this, where young people can express themselves creatively and present their artwork alongside their teachers. The rector also specifically mentioned the theme of the exhibition, noting that the sunflower, as a symbol of Ukraine, serves to cultivate patriotism in the younger generation and support national culture through its representation in art.

Dean of the Faculty of Design Kalyna Pashkevych, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor thanked the Rector Ivan Mykhailovych for supporting young talents, for understanding the importance of developing the abilities and creativity of young people, for the unique atmosphere of creativity at KNUTD, when students can realize themselves in drawing, developing projects, making clothing collections, dancing, singing.

The idea of the exhibition arose after the participation of teachers and students of the Faculty of Design in two large-scale all-Ukrainian exhibitions "Sunflower – A View of the Sun" at the I.P. Kavaleridze Museum-Workshop and "Where There is a Sunflower – There is Sunshine!" at the Maria Zankovetska Museum (Kyiv), initiated by Alla Horbunova, president of the International Charitable Foundation "Sunflower" and Sergey Komisarov, co-founder of the International Art Association "Return Alive!". The number of submitted works from KNUTD was so large that it became necessary to present the paintings at a separate group exhibition.

President of the International Charitable Foundation "Sunflower" Alla Horbunova expressed sincere words of gratitude to the leadership, teachers and students of KNUTD for their cooperation, preparation and participation in the exhibitions, and also invited them to participate in new joint creative projects.

Serhiy Komisarov, Honored Journalist of Ukraine, co-founder of the International Art Association “Return Alive!”, organizer of open-air events and exhibitions, editor-in-chief of the International News Agency UKRPRES-INFO, noted the high level of works presented at the exhibition by both teachers and students.

Serhiy Valentynovych presented the Rector of KNUTD, Ivan Mykhailovych Gryshchenko, with an honorary diploma for the development of exhibition activities, for the education and support of creative youth, for professionalism and a distinct patriotic position.

Serhiy Komisarov also presented certificates of the National Register of Records of Ukraine to teachers and students of KNUTD for participation in the exhibition "Sunflower – A View of the Sun", where the largest number of paintings depicting sunflowers (258 works) was presented, and presented diplomas for teachers and students to the dean of the Faculty of Design, Kalyna Pashkevych.

Yevhen Gula, artist - painter, Professor, Honored Worker of Education of Ukraine, member of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine, Professor of the Department of Graphic Design, welcomed the participants of the exhibition, emphasized that for students this is an opportunity not only to demonstrate their talents, but also to join a great cause – to preserve the national cultural heritage, rethinking it in a modern context.

The opening of the exhibition was attended by Steen Andersen, a famous Danish writer and art curator.

The host of the event, Lyudmila Ardelyan, Honored Artist of Ukraine, a famous Ukrainian theater and film actress, Associate Professor of the Department of Performing Arts and Culture of the KNUTD, presented the guests with a poem by the famous Ukrainian poet Lina Kostenko.

The exhibition "Sunflower – a Symbol of Ukraine!" is a vivid example of how contemporary art combines tradition and innovation, maintaining a deep connection with national heritage and reflecting it through the prism of innovative techniques and interpretations that emphasize the richness of Ukraine's cultural identity.

Participation in the exhibition “Sunflower – a Symbol of Ukraine!” gives each student the opportunity to express their vision of this unique floral symbol, apply the latest techniques, and experiment with materials.

 The exhibition “Sunflower – a Symbol of Ukraine!” is open to visitors until April 30, 2025 at the "Art Space" exhibition center of Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design

at the address 2 Mala Shyianovska St., Building 4.

We invite everyone!

10.04.2025