Zelenskyy Launches Initiative for Marchuk Museum

Ivan Marchuk Exhibition Opens in Kyiv

According to Главком: A permanent exhibition of works by Ivan Marchuk, a People's Artist of Ukraine, will open on May 12 at the Chocolate House Art Center in Kyiv. Titled 'Ivan Marchuk. Museum Collections,' the showcase features pieces from museum collections spanning the artist’s career from the late 1960s to the present. This marks the first exhibition at the Chocolate House since its closure in 2022, organized at the initiative of the Office of the President of Ukraine with support from the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine.

Exhibition Highlights

The display includes artworks from the collections of eleven Ukrainian museums, including those in:

• Kyiv
• Lviv
• Sumy
• Lutsk
• Ivano-Frankivsk
• Kaniv

A central focus is the 'Shevchenkiana' series, for which Marchuk received the Taras Shevchenko National Prize of Ukraine in 1997. Key pieces include a 1971 portrait of actor Bohdan Stupka, created for Volodymyr Denysenko’s film 'Osiiannia,' and a series of Ukrainian landscapes rendered in his signature plontanizm technique. Additionally, three new paintings completed by the artist in Vienna in 2024 are on display.

The project also features an immersive projection and archival materials. Full-price tickets cost 200 UAH, with reduced tickets at 100 UAH. The venue is located at 17/2 Shovkovychna Street.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated, 'We are working on this project, and it will definitely happen. Unfortunately, the war prevents us from implementing it quickly, so there are objective delays in opening the Museum.'

Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Olena Kovalska emphasized that until the museum is established, a permanent exhibition project will operate to ensure that every Kyiv resident and visitor can explore the artist’s work.

Separately, on December 18, 2025, a criminal investigation was launched following a complaint from Ivan Marchuk regarding the alleged misappropriation of his copyright to visual artworks. The artist claims he was misled about the legal implications of signing a licensing (copyright) agreement on May 21, 2020, which was executed by five parties, including himself. The contract granted an exclusive license to use the images of all his paintings for a term of 100 years. Under this agreement, Marchuk received 10,000 UAH, though he asserts that no funds were ever actually transferred to him.

In March 2026, a Kyiv court ordered the seizure of four paintings and a sheet featuring an animal image as part of this criminal case.

The opening of Ivan Marchuk’s exhibition in Kyiv represents a significant step in promoting Ukrainian art and ensuring public access to cultural heritage, especially amid wartime conditions. It also provides a platform for the artist to showcase his work and draw attention to the copyright issues he currently faces. Running until the planned museum opens, the exhibition underscores the importance of supporting Ukrainian artists during a challenging period for the country.

As the initiative for the Marchuk Museum progresses, it is essential to recognize the ongoing efforts to safeguard Ivan Marchuk's artistic heritage. Recently, a group of deputies has called for measures to ensure the protection of his legacy, highlighting the importance of preserving the cultural contributions of this renowned artist. For more insights into these protective measures, visit the detailed report on the demands for safeguarding Marchuk’s legacy.