Another Front in the War in Ukraine: Who Can Claim the Legendary Artist?

Kyiv’s Push to Highlight Kazimir Malevich’s Ukrainian Roots

In the midst of an ongoing conflict with Russia, Ukraine is waging a cultural campaign as fierce as any battlefield. The capital, Kyiv, has launched a concerted effort to re‑assert that the iconic avant‑garde painter Kazimir Malevich belongs to Ukrainian heritage rather than Russian or Soviet legacy.

Malevich, best known for his revolutionary Black Square and the birth of Suprematism, was born in 1879 in the town of Kiev Governorate (now Kyiv Oblast). Although he spent much of his professional life in Moscow, his early years, family ties, and formative artistic experiences were deeply rooted in the Ukrainian lands.

Ukrainian officials and cultural scholars argue that acknowledging Malevich’s Ukrainian origins is more than a matter of historical accuracy; it is a symbolic act of resistance. By foregrounding his native background, Kyiv aims to counter Moscow’s long‑standing narrative that seeks to absorb prominent figures into a broader “Russian” cultural canon.

“Malevich’s language of abstraction was born out of a Ukrainian environment,” says Dr. Olena Koval, a professor of art history at the National University of Kyiv. “Recognizing his Ukrainian identity not only honors his true roots but also affirms the resilience of our national culture amid aggression.”

The campaign includes exhibitions, educational programs, and diplomatic outreach to museums worldwide, urging them to label Malevich’s works with “Ukrainian” alongside “Russian” or “Soviet.” Kyiv hopes that this nuanced re‑branding will influence public perception and protect Ukraine’s cultural legacy for future generations.