“The Power of Fragility”: Young Artists Showcase Their Works Alongside the Ceramics of Olha Rapai
In August 2023, the National Museum of Ukrainian Folk Decorative Art became the venue for a remarkable event: the final exhibition of children’s works created during clay modeling workshops held within the project “The Power of Fragility,” dedicated to the legacy of the renowned Ukrainian ceramic artist Olha Rapai-Markish.
For three months, Kyiv residents had the opportunity to view the unique interior panels of the artist, who for more than forty years adorned the capital with her creations. The exhibition unfolded in two “acts,” combining not only an educational but also an inspiring mission: to pass on Olha Rapai’s creative energy to children through the practice of modeling.
The first workshop, held in June 2023, gathered 17 young participants. They crafted imaginative birds and animals, which, after firing, gained expressiveness and took their place among the museum exhibits.
The second workshop, on August 17, brought together ten schoolchildren under the guidance of Olena Rumiantseva, instructor of the “Artistic Ceramics” studio at the Kyiv Palace of Children and Youth. The children explored plasticity, form, and character. One work stood out in particular — a rooster sculpted by a boy named Artem, which impressed both the jury and the participants, becoming a symbol of the event.
Following the two workshops, all children received diplomas and gifts from the Association of Art Critics, Experts, Appraisers, and Restorers. Their works were presented in the museum halls alongside Olha Rapai-Markish’s own ceramics, creating a dialogue between generations and a tangible sense of continuity in the artistic space.
This event became the culmination of the “Power of Fragility” exhibition, showing that art not only preserves the past but also shapes the future, opening new horizons for young creators.
