Premonition

While it is by no means exhaustive, Premonition – aims to provide a broad introduction to the highly diverse and energetic nature of Ukraine's art-scene while exploring movements and trends over the last decade or so. Some of the artists have established reputations in Ukraine and emerged in the 1990s while others have only recently graduated from art college. Yet few, if any, are well known outside their homeland. Consequently "Premonition: Ukrainian Art Now" presents a wonderful opportunity to provide a showcase for this exciting group of artists who are publishing their work together for the first time. All of the work in "Premonition: Ukrainian Art Now" has been made recently, but mostly pre-dates the social unrest and upheaval that Ukraine has experienced during 2014. However the book's title acknowledges that since the early years of the new millennium the work of many Ukrainian artists has tended to reflect, or even predict in an uncanny way, the growing challenges, issues and questions concerning their nation's future identity and stability. The work of these two generations of Ukrainian artists provides an arresting insight into the future of contemporary art in Ukraine and is also set to play a key role in shaping our understanding of the culturally rich but complex environment in which they practice their art. They have absorbed many aspects of life in modern-day Ukraine and chosen very individual and original ways to communicate; showing extraordinary commitment, energy, insight, resilience and talent. Brilliantly designed by Barnbrook and with an essay by Ukrainian specialist in contemporary art Oleksandr Soloviov.