Lily of the Valley

Kiev, Ukraine,
2015

конвалія (Lily of the Valley) painted as part of CityArt project in Kiev, Ukraine. The title of this work comes from the first poem published by famous Ukrainian poet, Lesya Ukrainka. The image was inspired by archival imagery while researching images of the Ukrainian 'Vyshyvanka' national dress. As a result viewers found in the work a resonance in the memory of the famous writer, one of Ukrainian literature's foremost writers, best known for her poems and plays. She was also an active political, civil, and feminist activist.

Photographs by Guido van Helten

Project Details

Project

Lily of the Valley

Location

Kiev, Ukraine

Commissioner

CityArt Project

Lily of the valley grew in the grove
Under the high oak,
Protected from bad weather
Under the branches wide.

But for a long time she was comforted
Lily of the valley, -
And her hand is male
Age shortened.

Oh, they carried a lily of the valley
In the high hall,
She took it with her
Young lady to the ball.

Oh, the ball is fun
The musician plays,
Lilies of the valley and music
Poor heart ends.

Same young lady in fun
Waltz spun,
And in the lily of the valley
She said, bowing her head.

The lily said:
“Goodbye, sweetheart!
And you, my high oak,
My friend is the only one! ”

And she stopped. Indifferent
Young lady, in her hand
That faded flower,
Threw it down.

Maybe you too, my lady,
Someday have to
Remember that like lily of the valley,
Happiness will pass.

Not too long from now, my lady,
You will be comforted
But the points are fun
like the Tanochki twist.

Maybe once this is cute,
What he loves so much,
You, the fading flower,
Leaves me indifferent! ..

[Volyn, 10/30/1884]