When Zaporozhian Cossacks face illegal construction: anti-corruption art project opens in Ukraine

From 8 to 12 December, the National Art Museum of Ukraine is hosting an exhibition entitled ‘Corruptionism’, initiated by the EU Anti-Corruption Initiative (EUACI) and supported by the European Union Delegation to Ukraine.

The Corruptionism project is named by analogy with Impressionism, Realism and other art movements. The concept is to make the consequences of corruption suddenly appear in famous works by Ukrainian artists. For example, in Serhiy Vasylkivsky’s painting, ‘Cossacks in the steppe’, an illegal high-rise building is seen rising up in the steppe.

“The five paintings depict the top five corruption crimes… – real cases of corruption in Ukraine… Unlike works of art, such crimes cannot be simply looked at – they must be actively countered,” said Yulia Lytvynets, Director General of the National Art Museum.

“It is a very innovative and unexpected way to show the damaging effects corruption can have on our daily lives and the environment. It is beautiful and provoking at the same time, challenging the viewer to stop and think. These paintings set their very own brutal reality and transfer a clear message: stop corruption!” said Xavier Camus, Head of Section of ‘Good Governance and Rule of Law’ at the EU Delegation to Ukraine.

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Press release