ZAG Studio presents the exhibition project “Shevchenko. Children” — a space of dialogue between two centuries, centered on a historical parallel between two childhoods: children of the 19th century and children of the 21st century.
The project addresses the loss of a safe childhood as a shared experience that connects these generations despite the distance of time. Shevchenko’s childhood — marked by early orphanhood and the need to grow up quickly — resonates with the reality of contemporary Ukrainian children growing up amid war, constant threat, and loss.
The concept of the exhibition builds a reverse perspective: to present Shevchenko through the eyes of children for an adult viewer, while at the same time bringing Shevchenko closer to children — as a person with doubts, fears, dreams, and mistakes. Not as a bronze monument or a strict portrait in textbooks, but as a living figure whose journey began from a deeply vulnerable point.
“Shevchenko. Children” speaks about the continuity of creative impulse, about art’s ability to be born even in the most difficult circumstances, and about faith in a future that is already being shaped by children’s hands today.
We extend our gratitude to Milena Medvid, the exhibition curator; the Educational and Methodological Center of Culture and Arts of the Lviv Region; and the Oleksa Novakivskyi Lviv Children’s Art School for providing the artworks and co-organizing the exhibition. We also thank the young artists for creating the works.
Duration: February 13 – March 10, 2026
Location: ZAG Studio, 3rd floor of ZAG Gallery