Exhibition of ceramic sculptures - amulets in the National Conservation Area "Sofia of Kyiv"

On May 7, the opening of an exhibition of ceramic sculptures by the head master of GORN Ceramics Yuriy Mirko took place in the National Reserve "Sofia Kyivska".

This impressive large-scale project begins with our soul’s journey. Under the open sky, the Shadows are the first to meet us — the causes of the suffering of a living creature. We see Despair, Self-aggrandizement, Care in Ignorance, and other dark, massive figures raised by platforms to human stature and through what feels like our true shadows. Each shadow is the dark side of our soul that leaves us in the dark through the experience of suffering. And to enter the hall with amulets, you must first meet face to face with your shadow.

According to the curator of the project, "each of us has a certain set of images, symbols or even things that give us a sense of security and peace - our charms. They are symbols of the most valuable things in life. They give us strength to move in the right direction and remind us that there are those in this world who care about us. The power of some amulets can be felt only by individual people, while others are sacred symbols for entire groups and peoples. Some of them are so powerful that their support can be felt just by imagining them. One of these charms is the image of God."

Once we get to the main part of the exhibition, our soul's journey is far from over. We see archetypes and global spiritual concepts—such as rebirth and dialogue. In the first hall, the group of such charms is Family, Angel, Race, Dance, Archangels and Self-Sacrifice. These charms are united by a special form of soul interaction. Related to Family and Kindred, Self-sacrifice can make the lives of future generations much happier. So that this sacrifice is not in vain, we must make our existence more meaningful. This is the best way to express respect and gratitude.

In the second hall, we see the charms of the Elder, the Traveler, One-Directedness, Embracing, Harmony, Defenselessness, Self-Knowledge, Feeling Safe, and Choice. Each of these talismans teaches us an important spiritual lesson and shows that only feeling the presence of God in our heart and life saves us from suffering and fear.

It is interesting that although the exhibition is held on the territory of the National Reserve "Sofia of Kyiv" and appeals to God in the texts and meanings of many works, this project is not only Christian, but globally spiritual. Ukrainian culture and religion of our country are intertwined here with Vedic traditions and Eastern philosophies such as Buddhism. To understand the deep sacred meaning of each amulet, the viewer does not have to be religious or limited by one tradition - everyone will be able to find the meanings necessary at this stage of the spiritual path.

You can see the exhibition until May 24.

The text was prepared by Tetiana Safir, an art critic and art manager of the Imagine Point gallery