The Kherson-based Oleksandr Berezhny, member of the Union of Ukrainian Artists, has returned from Wilhelmshaven, Germany, where the Kherson- registered bark Tovarysh lies moored. Mr. Berezhny used to be a sailor. It was on board of Tovarysh that he plowed the seas and oceans, as second class sailor, in 1986 to 1990. This could be why that when the Embassy of Ukraine in Germany was deciding which Ukrainian painter would organize his personal exhibition in the Tovarysh crew quarters, the choice fell to Mr. Berezhny. His exhibition was part of EXPO- 2000 held July 18 to September 10 in Hanover.
The two Tovarysh crew quarters hosted the Kherson resident’s 20 works depicting the renowned bark. The art sale earnings are to go to the sale the ship foundation. This was the condition set by Wolf Mackward, president of the firm in charge of repairing sailing ships.
Some of the works, much to the pleasure of exhibition organizers, were sold immediately, for the watercolors, oil canvases, and graphics were so very realistic. Incidentally, one of the pictures was acquired with pleasure by Anatoly Honcharuk, Ukraine’s delegate general at EXPO-2000. Among the over 50,000 visitors feasting their eyes on the Kherson resident’s marine pictures were EXPO-2000 executive director Rudiger Kramp and the Wilhelmshaven mayor.
In addition to marine subjects, Mr. Berezhny also exhibited in the Tovarysh crew quarters another forty works, such as still lifes and landscapes, a true portrait of our homeland. The Germans and other visitors amazedly admired the views of Ukraine, to them a country little known. “Yes,” the artist said bitterly, “our country is terra incognita for many Europeans. They wondered when we finish the last the Chechen massacre.”
“Mr. Berezhny, and how does Tovarysh look like now?”
“To look at, it is still beautiful. But inside... Our sailors hope the bark will be put in a dry dock for repairs in November or December. ”
