Ukrainian-American artist Lida Suchy will open a residency, which also includes her husband Mišo Suchý, at SUNY Oswego with a collection of photographs starting the Tyler Art Gallery season.

“Portrait of a Village, Ukraine: Photographs by Lida Suchy” opens Sept. 12, running to Nov. 5. An opening reception, free and open to the public from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 15, in the gallery, will provide an opportunity to meet the artists.

“For the past 9 years, Ukraine has been represented by images of conflict, destruction, and carnage, brought about by Russia’s war on Ukraine," the artist statement for the exhibition noted. "As a first-generation American and daughter of Ukrainian refugees, Lida Suchy draws on her background as a resource and inspiration for her creative work. For nearly 30 years she has been photographing in the Ukrainian village, Kryvorivnya, creating a composite portrait of this rural community. In this exhibition, Lida presents us with images that can help viewers to connect with Ukraine beyond the news headlines." 

The artists dedicate the exhibition “to the people of Ukraine, all those who stand in support of a free Ukraine, and to the memory of 27-year-old Artem Dymyd, who брав від життя все і сам був життям, ‘lived life to its fullest,’” they said. “He is one of thousands of beautiful young people giving their lives to defend their country and our freedom.”

The exhibition also includes a 21-minute documentary titled “Pictograph,” by Mišo Suchý that is a black and white/color animation from still photographs.

Based in Syracuse, Lida Suchy is a first-generation American born into a refugee family, a background she often draws upon as inspiration for her creative work. She has held exhibitions as far away as London and the former Czechoslovakia, as well as around the Northeast U.S. Lida Suchy received her master of fine arts from the Yale University School of Art, and has taught master workshops in the U.S., Italy and Ukraine.

An associate professor of film at Syracuse University, Mišo Suchý’s films screened in numerous film festivals in the U.S., Great Britain, Germany, Italy, France, Poland, and the former Czechoslovakia, where he is originally from. He earned his master of fine arts from the Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava in what is now Slovakia. He also has exhibited photographs in London, Washington, D.C. and Bratislava.

Artists’ residency

A series of additional events sponsored by ARTSwego, themed as “Ukraine: Beyond the Headlines” will take place in September and October on the SUNY Oswego campus. 

The series includes two presentations that are free and open to the public. 

  • On Sept. 26, noon to 1 p.m., Lida Suchy will provide an artist’s talk in Tyler Art Gallery
  • Oct. 17, 7 to 9 p.m., Mišo Suchý will host a film screening with discussion in 123 Marano Campus Center.

In addition, Mišo Suchý will speak to the  "Russian Empire" history class and “World Cinema” class, while Lida Suchy will speak to the “Darkroom Photography” class.

An additional visiting artist – Ukrainian vocalist Irina Petrik – will present a mini recital and presentation in Tyler Art Gallery (co-sponsored by the Music Department) at 1 p.m. on Oct. 24.

Tyler Art Gallery is open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays and by appointment.

For more information on performing and visual arts events on the SUNY Oswego campus, visit the ARTSwego website.