The public space of Zenyk Art Gallery (ZAG) in Lviv has been enriched with a new artwork. “The Pillar of Life” by Denys Shymanskyi marks the final element in the creation of a distinctive outdoor sculptural ensemble that has already become a new visual landmark on Shota Rustaveli Street.
Since its opening, Zenyk Art Gallery has established itself not only as an accessible cultural institution but also as an active contributor to the city’s public realm. The gallery’s vision extends beyond its walls: the exterior has been transformed into an open-air platform for contemporary Ukrainian sculpture, freely accessible to everyone, 24 hours a day.
“The Pillar of Life” and an International Context
The sculpture by Denys Shymanskyi was first presented by ZAG at the exhibition “UKRAINE: INHALE / EXHALE!”, part of the International Triennale in Milan, where contemporary Ukrainian art gained a powerful voice on the European stage.
According to the artist, the work is not about a single story but about the continuum of life itself: “It is a form in which every ‘brick’ represents different people and different states of being: someone is playing, someone is dancing, someone is loving, someone is simply living their moment.”
The vertical movement of the composition reinforces the idea of an ongoing aspiration upward—towards a limit, a summit, and a deeper understanding. “We are constantly moving, trying to climb higher, but at some point we stop and look back—to reflect on what has been and what lies ahead,” explains Denys Shymanskyi.
The culminating image is a figure that has almost reached the top—a symbol of an inner breakthrough and a moment of realization. “It is the moment when a person is finally ready to let go because they have understood the meaning of this journey.”
Together with “Breath” (2025) by Oleksa Furdiiaka, recently installed in the gallery’s public space, “The Pillar of Life” creates a meaningful bridge between Lviv and the world’s leading artistic capitals. Through projects like these, ZAG demonstrates its broader mission: not only to build a high-quality cultural environment in Ukraine, but also to bring Ukrainian ideas and artistic voices into the global cultural dialogue.
ZAG’s Sculptural Landscape
The gallery’s public space now brings together works by some of Ukraine’s leading sculptors, each offering a distinct perspective on contemporary life:
“The Human Dimension” by Volodymyr Semkiv — a reflection on the scale of the individual in today’s world.
“Unity. Balance” by Denys Shymanskyi — an exploration of balance in uncertain times.
“Horizons” by Volodymyr Odrekhivskyi — a sculpture that directs our gaze toward the future.
“Breath” by Oleksa Furdiiaka — a dynamic form that reminds us of life as a process of continuous movement.