PinchukArtCentre presents a book about Ukrainian artist Zhanna Kadyrova

The publication was created in collaboration with the artist, art institution Kunstverein Hannover and published by Distanz

In October, PinchukArtCentre presents in Kyiv the first monograph dedicated to internationally renowned Ukrainian artist Zhanna Kadyrova, best known for her projects Palianytsia and Security Guarantees, the latter of which represented Ukraine at the 61st Venice Biennale.

The book marks a symbolic continuation of the artist’s long-standing collaboration with PinchukArtCentre. Kadyrova has received three awards from the art centre: in 2011, she received the Special Prize of the PinchukArtCentre Prize; in 2013, the Main Prize of the PinchukArtCentre Prize; and the following year, the Special Prize of the Future Generation Art Prize.

Work on the publication began as part of a joint initiative between PinchukArtCentre and the German art institution Kunstverein Hannover, which presented Kadyrova’s solo exhibitions Flight Trajectories and Daily Bread. The First Retrospective in 2023. The artist joined forces with the institutions to create a book covering her best-known works from different periods, with particular attention given to projects realised since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.

“This is a major undertaking by a large team. It is important to me that I can present my work both in Ukraine and abroad, and introduce the publication to both art professionals and a wider audience. One copy of the book has already reached South Korea, another Spain, and another Denmark.

The publication includes key works from every period of my artistic practice and reveals different aspects of my work. The book demonstrates that I am open to experimenting with form and materials — for example, I only began drawing and working with embroidery during the full-scale invasion. It was particularly important for me to say more about the works created after 2022. With the full-scale war, my focus shifted, and these are the projects I am now actively presenting abroad. In particular, one of the key images running throughout the book is the work ‘Russian Rocket’, which reminds us of the threat Russian aggression poses to the world, not only to Ukraine,” the artist shares.

Zhanna Kadyrova has created a significant body of work that reflects on Ukraine’s transformations since the early 2000s. During the full-scale war, the artist has become one of the most powerful voices of Ukrainian art on the international stage, drawing attention to Ukraine’s struggle and the importance of sustained international support.

“The publication highlights PinchukArtCentre’s long-standing and consistent support for Zhanna Kadyrova’s artistic practice. I first encountered her work in 2009, when she was nominated for the PinchukArtCentre Prize. Since then, we have continuously supported and promoted her work both in Ukraine and internationally, as we have done for many other Ukrainian artists. This publication is one manifestation of that support,” emphasises Björn Geldhof, Artistic Director of PinchukArtCentre and co-editor of the book.

The book is edited by curators Björn Geldhof and Christoph Platz-Gallus and includes articles by both editors, as well as texts by Pascal Gielen, Nikita Kadan, Daria Shevtsova, Oleksiy Arunyan, Kateryna Botanova, Paweł Stereć, Shubigi Rao, and Paula Toppila. The publication offers different critical perspectives on the artist’s practice, with the authors’ texts interwoven with Kadyrova’s own comments on her recent and earlier works, filled with the artist’s characteristic ironic humour and insight.

The book is published by Distanz and presented in English, allowing international audiences to become better acquainted with the artist’s work. The publication will be a valuable find for anyone interested in Zhanna Kadyrova’s work and Ukrainian contemporary art, and could be an excellent gift for international friends, colleagues, and partners. The project also received generous support from Galleria Continua.

“The joint work of two important art institutions and a world-renowned publishing house helps ensure broader international recognition of Zhanna Kadyrova’s artistic practice. Thanks to Distanz, the book will be available worldwide. And this is happening precisely at a time when we need to speak about Ukraine as loudly as possible and make our voice heard by the widest possible audience,” adds Björn Geldhof.

As part of the book’s presentation in Kyiv, PinchukArtCentre will organise several public events:

20 October Zbirka Bookstore, 17 Reitarska Street | 18:30–21:00

An informal presentation of the book on Zhanna Kadyrova with the artist and Daria Shevtsova, curator and researcher at PinchukArtCentre and author of one of the publication’s texts. The event will also feature a temporary pop-up exhibition dedicated to one of the works featured in the book.

22 October Bookstore Ye, 3 Lysenka Street | 18:00–20:00

The official presentation of the book on Zhanna Kadyrova and a public discussion featuring the artist, Björn Geldhof, Artistic Director of PinchukArtCentre and co-editor of the publication, and Daria Shevtsova, curator and researcher at the art centre. The programme will also include a video message from Christoph Platz-Gallus, co-editor of the book.