VIZYCHKANYCH HAFIІA

Honoured Master of Folk Art of Ukraine (1967). Member of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine (1961).

Hafiia Vizychkanych was born on 22 January 1912 in Hanychi village, Tiachiv district of the Transcarpathian region in a large family. She was the ninth child in a poor family from Verkhovyna, so she had to work for rich masters. But, showing her skills in making carpets, the girl got into the weaving workshop of the Czech manufacturer Rudolf Zahrad in Hanychi village. Soon, the products of the young master appeared at exhibitions in Western European countries. She worked as a weaver from 1928 to 1952, from 1952 and almost till the closing of the workshop she worked as a master at carpet workshop.

Post-war years brought Hafiia Vizychkanych fame and recognition.

One of the first in Transcarpathia she was awarded the honorary title of Honoured Master of Folk Art of Ukraine (1967).

Hafiia was a wonderful artist and a good teacher, creating a school of weavers in Hanychi village. She devoted best years of her life to creativity, teaching young people in the carpet workshop. A whole epoch of the weaving development in Transcarpathia is associated with her name. The master has created unique carpets, rags, bedspreads, that are still admirable and decorate houses.

The art of Hafiia is interesting and multifaceted. Hundreds of colourful carpets were made by her skilful hands. The artist's products are characterized by the rich decorative design, complex geometric patterns in combination with the stylized plant ones. In her works, the master skilfully used natural colouration of wool, achieving harmony of colour and shape. When she painted her products, she most often used dark cherry, pink, green hues, added white, creating a rich colour palette.

Among the artist’s masterpieces, there are numerous thematic works, in the creation of which she put all her talent and skills. She made carpets "Mavka" and "Forest Song" based on the stories of Lesia Ukrainka. These are perfect works with a peculiar system of images, original stylistics. The milestone works also include thematic carpets "Autumn", "A Curly Girl", "Camomile", "Violet", "Bell", created in the 60-70's of the last century.

In Uzhhorod, the artist held two solo exhibitions – in 1978 and in 1982. Her works are kept in the National Museum of Ukrainian Folk Decorative Art in Kyiv, Transcarpathian Museum of Folk Architecture and Life, and other museums of Ukraine and abroad.

The artist died on 26 April 1993.

Volodymyr Myshanych