Carousel

Today, we present Ukrainian art to mark the anniversary of the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine and to honor the country’s culture, resilience, and creative voice. If you wish to contribute, consider supporting UNITED24, Ukraine's official fundraising platform, which provides direct aid for defense, medical care, and rebuilding efforts.

Davyd Burliuk, a key figure in early Ukrainian modernism and a leader of the Futurist movement, created Carousel at a moment when artists across Europe were redefining how art could express sensation and experience. The work’s vibrant colors and spiraling shapes evoke not only the joyful thrill of a fairground ride but also the restless spirit of an era eager to break with tradition and embrace new artistic languages. It is a vivid modernist work that pulses with movement and playful energy. Painted just after World War I, the scene captures the whirling motion of a carousel with bold color and sweeping forms, reflecting Burliuk’s innovative approach to avant-garde art and his fascination with rhythm and dynamism. The horses seem alive with motion, as if ready to leap from the canvas into the viewer’s world, lending the painting both a dreamlike and kinetic quality. 

P.S. Meet Fedir Krychevsky—one of the most talented Ukrainian artists!