Artist Mykhailo Prokopyuk

17 May 2023 on the eve of the International Day of Museums at the Chernihiv Historical Museum named after V. In. Tarnovsky, the exhibition "Forgotten Names" opened: pages of the life and work of the artist Mykhailo Prokopyuk (1926-2001)».

Mikhail Sevastyanovich Prokopyuk, our countryman, born 13 November 1926 year in the village of Sulychivka, що на Ріпкинщині. An extraordinary personality, a unique and original artist, член Національної спілки художників України, is one of the significant figures in the artistic life of Chernigov in the second half of the 20th century. The fullness of the artist's gift is revealed in his landscapes. Spiritual unity with the native land is a gift, similar to talent, which the artist had. Having chosen undemanding motifs of nature as the object of the image, was able to see the indescribable beauty of his native land and evoke unforgettable reflections with the power of painting.

The artist's portraits are characterized by a variety of techniques and finds. He sought to convey the unique individuality of the models. His self-portrait is interesting, in which a desire for introspection and disclosure of the inner world is noticeable. The last unfinished work of the icon artist "Jesus with twelve feasts" is exhibited at the exhibition.

The artist left his creative mark in cooperation with the Chernihiv Historical Museum, as evidenced by his specially painted monumental canvas "The First Furrow" and copies of portraits of participants in the Franco-Russian war 1812 р., our compatriots Andrii Hlebov and Vasyl Kostyanetskyi.

In addition to painting, his hobbies were working with wood. He made most of the frames for his paintings with his own hands, chess, in which he liked to play with his fellow artists, the violin, on which he played the classical works of Bach perfectly.

The life of the artist was not easy, fate was not kind to him. As a child, during the famine, he lost two sisters and the closest person - his mother, and the end of the artist's life was especially tragic. After bodily injuries, inflicted by unknown and untimely medical help, there was a deterioration of health and 29 December 2001 year he passed into eternity.

Exhibited at the exhibition 29 Works, of them: 20 landscapes, 5 portraits, self portrait and three icons. Виставка буде працювати до вересня 2023 year.

Head of the scientific and methodical department of the museum

Valentina Lutska