Tribute to a Remarkable Artist: Volodymyr Naumets

The Museum of Modern Art in Odesa sadly announces the unexpected passing of Volodymyr Petrovych Naumets – a distinguished Ukrainian artist whose contributions to the evolution of contemporary art are invaluable.

Volodymyr Naumets was a pioneer of conceptual art in Odesa, playing a vital role in the nonconformist artistic movement and being among the first in Ukraine to experiment with new media, including neon installations.

His artistry fused abstract painting, iconographic traditions, and performative practices, crafting spiritually rich images that transform everyday life into symbols of eternity. Events such as "Sign in the Snow" became landmark occurrences in the history of Ukrainian avant-garde.

The team at the Museum of Modern Art emphasized that Volodymyr Naumets was not only a master of painting, graphics, video art, and performances but also a person of profound intellectual strength who inspired everyone fortunate enough to work with him.

“The departure of Volodymyr Naumets represents a significant loss for the artistic community of Ukraine and the world. We take pride in the fact that a substantial portion of his creative legacy is preserved in our collections and accessible to future generations,” – stated the museum.

Additional Information

Volodymyr Petrovych Naumets was born in 1945 in Lviv. He received his artistic education at the Odesa State Art College (1959-1964) and the Moscow Higher School of Arts (formerly Stroganov School) (1965-1970).

In the 1970s, he actively participated in unofficial "apartment" exhibitions in Odesa and Moscow.

Works by Volodymyr Naumets are held in the collections of the Odesa Literary Museum, the Museum of Modern Art in Odesa, the Museum of Modern Fine Arts of Ukraine, as well as in art museums in Bern, Vienna, New York, and in private collections around the world.