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Nataliya Brovdi: "Our goal is to make Uzhhorod a true art centre"

07
February

2018

Nataliya Brovdi: "Our goal is to make Uzhhorod a true art centre"

More than 15 years ago, Robert and Nataliya Brovdi started collecting the masterpieces of the Transcarpathian school of painting. Initially, it was a hobby for the purpose of forming their personal collection, but soon their interest turned into a professional activity. In 2016, the Brovdis founded their first Student Contest In Painting "Silver Easel" on the basis of the Art & Culture Foundation Brovdi Art. The foundation is also engaged in the construction of a large-scale museum space in Uzhhorod, where they come from. Nataliya told Woman Magazine about the mission to support the novice authors and the activities of Brovdi Art. (In the original language).

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While collecting works of the Transcarpathian artists, the Brovdi family discovered their love not only for the Ukrainian but also for the world cultural heritage. Nataliya herself recalls that initially, they purchased the work for the soul, with depth and idea. "In such a way, we became involved in art, supporting any cultural initiatives as far as possible. At a certain moment, my husband and I understood that we could help much more young artists. Thus, we had an idea about the All-Ukrainian Student Contest "Silver Easel".

The first contest gave a clear understanding of our future goals. It was decided to create a foundation. This is an initiative aimed at the formation of contemporary art space, the embodiment of innovative creative projects. "One of the main goals of Brovdi Art is to create a high-quality platform that combines classical and contemporary art with all their forms, including sculpture, performance, new multimedia projects, as well as the preparation of educational lectures for better communication between viewer and artist," Nataliya says.

"Uzhhorod is a city with the centuries-old history. In its spirit, it is very similar to numerous European cultural centres. The first school of classical drawing of Erdeli and Bokshai was opened here back in 1927, and its creators had a unique opportunity to travel around the world, learn from the best masters of that time. Our main goal is to make Uzhhorod a true art centre, and we only help people to open it for themselves in a new way."

Uzhhorod spiritually reminds the cultural centres of Europe

That's why the Brovdi couple is completing the construction of a large museum space that will include a gallery of contemporary and classical art, lecture halls, children's art school, as well as several separate projects such as an open-air sculpture museum and numismatics museum. Part of exposition of the latter, according to Nataliya, will be the Ukrainian coins collected by her husband Robert Brovdi.

"We are also negotiating with Ukrainian Fashion Week, namely with Iryna Danylevska, about the holding of contests for young designers in the existing Uzhhorod art residency," the co-founder of foundation goes on.

"There is already a strong interest in Brovdi Art. Our friend, the famous Ukrainian art dealer Igor Abramovych, introduced us to the representatives of the world auction houses Phillips and Sotheby's. Each of them is looking for a similar foundation in the territory of the post-Soviet space for co-operation and collections exchange."

In 2017, the "Silver Easel" contest was given the status of international one. Nataliya notes that the applications were submitted by the students of art schools from Belarus, Romania, Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia. The evaluation was carried out by the expert council: art historians, eminent masters, gallery owners, art critics. They only had a coded student portfolio, without specifying the name of the university and the country. The contest itself lasts 6 days and consists of 3 nominations – landscape, portrait and improvisation. In addition to the cash prize and the opportunity to spend it on further training, the winners will get the Grand Prix. It is a grant for a trip to one of the cultural centres of Europe (Bilbao, Paris and Rome) to visit famous museums and galleries. "The best prize for a young artist is the acquaintance with the world cultural heritage and curatorial support."

© Roksana Rublovskaya
Woman Magazine 

The activities of Brovdi Art Foundation include:

Popularization of classical and contemporary fine art in Ukraine and abroad

Realization of art projects, support and promotion of young artists

Foundation of museum, galleries, organization of creative contest, exhibitions, expositions, plein-airs, master classes and lectures dedicated to art

Publication of catalogues, albums and books, co-operation with art unions, art centres, auction houses, educational institutions

Informational, cultural and educational activities in the mass media

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