20 October - 19 November 2023
The project is based on ceramic panels in the form of protective "shields" decorated with floral ornaments as a symbol of rebirth, resistance to injustice, preservation and prolongation of life. To create the artistic image, we chose one of the elements of martial arts – a "war shield", which serves to protect the Warrior and the State in a broad sense.
In today's war, when Ukraine is defending itself against an enemy that is once again trying to destroy us, we are using the tools and art form to protect our historical heritage. We declare to the whole world our readiness to protect and preserve our heritage, which is an indicator of our self-identity and worldview.
Ornamentation on weapons is the pinnacle of decorative and applied art, deep semantics, the coordination of ornaments with complex shapes, and a high level of skilled execution. Working with metal and engraving are probably the most complex art forms (inlay, engraving of metal and precious stones). For several centuries, this type of Crimean art was practically unexplored.
The world heritage of our art masterpieces is stored in the world's museum collections and is unknown to the general public. This is due to the destruction, persecution and blocking of the cultural heritage and identity of the indigenous peoples of Crimea - Crimean Tatars and Karaites - by Tsarist Russia, the Soviet Union and the modern Russian Federation.
Highly artistic compositions need to be revived and, at the same time, new forms need to be found to introduce this surprisingly beautiful, fascinating and interesting art form to the contemporary viewer.
Rustem Skibin (1976 Samarkand, Uzbekistan)
Contemporary Crimean Tatar ceramist, potter, artist of traditional and contemporary art, ethnographer, ornamentalist, graphic designer and interior designer. Teacher, lecturer.
Initiator, author, curator of large-scale projects about the culture of Crimea throughout the period of restoration of Ukraine's independence. Focuses on research, preservation, restoration of authentic and development of contemporary art, promotion of folk and traditional culture of the Crimean Tatars.
He is an ambassador and active promoter of Crimean Tatar culture in Ukraine, the EU, the UK, the USA, Canada, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region.
1996 - studied at the Samarkand School of Arts, specialising as an artist and teacher.
1996 - returned from deportation to his homeland, Crimea.
1996 - 2000 - worked as a chief artist at the ceramic enterprise "Tavryka" in Simferopol, Crimea.
2000 - started researching, reviving and developing ancient Crimean Tatar crafts, including ceramics with authentic ornaments, Crimea.
2000 - founded and headed the ceramic workshop - school "El Cheber / Country of Masters", Crimea.
2014 - left the temporarily occupied Crimea for Kyiv.
2014 - founded and headed the public organisation "El Cheber / Country of Masters" (Kyiv).
2021 - initiator and curator of the project "The Way / Yol". With the support of the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation (UCF).
2014 - 2023 - lives and works in Kyiv. Cultural and artistic projects take place in Ukraine, the EU, the UK, the USA, Canada and many other countries.
The works are kept in the collections of world and national museums in Ukraine, such as the White House, the residence of the President of the United States. Washington (USA), the Palace of Westminster, the building of the British Parliament. London (UK), the Hall of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Strasbourg (France), the Granada Museum of Fine Arts (Spain), the Palace of All Rulers, Vilnius (Lithuania), the National Museum of Folk Architecture and Life of Ukraine "Pirogov" (Kyiv), etc.
Full ticket price: 100 UAH.
