An exhibition of works by Mykhailo Riasnianskyi, People’s Artist of Ukraine, is currently being held in Mykolaiv

An exhibition of works by Mykhailo Riasnianskyi, People’s Artist of Ukraine, is currently on display in Mykolaiv; photo by Galina Sennikova, NikVesti

17 May marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of Mykhailo Riasnianskyi — People’s Artist of Ukraine. To mark the occasion, the V. Vereshchahin Art Museum in Mykolaiv invited visitors to the opening of an exhibition of the artist’s paintings from the museum’s collection.

This was reported by NikVesti.

Mykhailo Riasnianskyi received his art education at the Rostov Art College and later at the Kyiv State Art Institute, where his teacher was Tetiana Yablonska, People’s Artist of the USSR. After graduating, he taught at the Chisinau Art College and later at his alma mater, the Kyiv Art Institute.

The artist moved to Mykolaiv in 1970, where he became a member of the Mykolaiv branch of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine. In his studio, he continued to share his experience with young artists. Mykhailo Riasnianskyi trained over a hundred students, most of whom went on to become renowned artists and award winners. Among them are the well-known Mykolaiv artists Olha Artym, Nadiia Pinchuk and Volodymyr Bandaliiev.

In 2001, Mykhailo Riasnianskyi was awarded the honorary title of «People’s Artist of Ukraine», becoming the first artist from the Mykolaiv region to receive this distinction.

An exhibition of works by People’s Artist of Ukraine Mykhailo Riasnianskyi is taking place in Mykolaiv, photo by Halyna Sennikova, NikVesti

An exhibition of works by People’s Artist of Ukraine Mykhailo Riasnianskyi is taking place in Mykolaiv, photo by Halyna Sennikova, NikVesti

An exhibition of works by People’s Artist of Ukraine Mykhailo Ryasnyansky is taking place in Mykolaiv, photo by Halyna Sennikova, NikVesti

An exhibition of works by People’s Artist of Ukraine Mykhailo Riasnianskyi is taking place in Mykolaiv, photo by Halyna Sennikova, NikVesti

Mykhailo Riasnianskyi was a veteran of the Second World War — he went to the front at the age of 17. He took part in the liberation of Mykolaiv and Odesa, where he was seriously wounded. He was awarded the Order of the Patriotic War, 2nd class, and the medals «For Courage» and «For Victory over Germany».

In addition to his active creative work, he was heavily involved in community work. He was a member of the board of the Mykolaiv Regional Organisation of the Union of Artists of Ukraine, chairman of the art council, a member of the board of the city committee of war and labour veterans, president of the regional sports club «Ring», and a member of the board of the «Memorial» society.

Serhii Rosliakov, director of the Art Museum, recalled how he first saw Mykhailo Riasnianskyi’s works.

«I came across an album of works by outstanding Ukrainian artists, featuring pieces by Oleksandr Murashko, Fedir Krychevskyi, Leonid Bratchenko and other leading figures of our art. I was struck by one portrait. I thought it was the work of Murashko, but it turned out that the artist was Mykhailo Riasnianskyi. Murashko, or even Riepin, could have signed this portrait — it is such a magnificent, fantastic work. It is kept at the National Art Museum,» said Serhii Rosliakov.

An exhibition of works by People’s Artist of Ukraine Mykhailo Riasnianskyi is taking place in Mykolaiv, photo by Halyna Sennikova, NikVesti

An exhibition of works by People’s Artist of Ukraine Mykhailo Riasnianskyi is taking place in Mykolaiv, photo by Halyna Sennikova, NikVesti

An exhibition of works by People’s Artist of Ukraine Mykhailo Riasnianskyi is taking place in Mykolaiv, photo by Halyna Sennikova, NikVesti

An exhibition of works by People’s Artist of Ukraine Mykhailo Riasnianskyi is taking place in Mykolaiv, photo by Halyna Sennikova, NikVesti

The opening of the exhibition also featured speeches by Yevhen Horburov, chair of the regional council’s committee on education and science; Dmytro Artym, chair of the regional branch of the National Union of Artists; artists Olha Artym and Volodymyr Bandaliev; Honoured Artist of Ukraine Lidiia Ivanytska; and Mykhailo’s son, artist and sculptor Yaroslav Riasnianskyi.

Olha Artym read out a message from Nadiia Pinchuk, who is currently in Germany. All those present noted that Mykhailo Riasnianskyi was a man of many talents: he had a flair for opera singing, loved to dance the tango, and wrote poetry. But he is best remembered as a Mentor, someone one could turn to for advice on creative work or for help in any life situation. He always fought for the truth, whilst remaining a simple and sincere person.

An exhibition of Mykhailo Riasnianskyi’s works can be viewed at the V. Vereshchahin Art Museum from 9:00 to 17:30, except Mondays, at 47 Velyka Morska Street.

It was previously reported that in Mykolaiv, the results of a resident survey showed that city dwellers most often complain about a lack of leisure facilities and a lack of information about cultural events.