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« 2026. # 4 (190)

The Ethnology Notebooks. 2026. № 4 (190), 967—975

UDK 75.071.1(477):7.01:008.1

DOI https://doi.org/10.15407/nz2026.04.967

  • Received: 04.07.2026
  • Accepted: 09.07.2026
  • Published: 23.09.2026

LANDSCAPE AS AN IMPULSE AND CONSTRUCT OF CULTURAL  IDENTITY IN THE WORK OF ROMAN YATSIV: THE INTERACTION OF ANALYTICAL EXPERIENCE AND ARTISTIC PRACTICE

STASENKO Volodymyr

  • ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9965-384X
  • PhD in Art Studies, Professor,
  • Lviv Polytechnic National University,
  • Department of Design and Fundamentals of Architecture,
  • 12 Stepan Bandera St., 79013 Lviv, Ukraine,
  • Contacts:e-mail: stasenko.volodymyr@gmail.com

Abstract. The article examines the creative method of Roman Yatsiv through the interaction of his artistic, scholarly, and curatorial activities. Particular attention is paid to the role of landscape as both an impulse for artistic expression and a structural model for the formation of cultural identity. The relevance of the study lies in the need for a comprehensive interpretation of Yatsiv’s oeuvre as an integrated system in which artistic practice is inseparably connected with analytical reflection and art-historical knowledge.

The methodological framework combines formal-stylistic analysis, iconological interpretation, a phenomenological approach to space as lived experience, and methods of art-historical contextualization. The source base includes the artist’s paintings, materials from the exhibition project «Vydnokrai» («Horizon»), and the artist’s own reflections on his creative process.

The study demonstrates that landscape in Yatsiv’s works should not be understood as a conventional pictorial motif. Rather, it functions as a matrix of visual thinking that shapes compositional principles, rhythmic structures, and artistic imagery. The research reveals that the artist’s practice is grounded in the synthesis of intuitive spatial perception and a highly developed analytical understanding of artistic processes. It is argued that Yatsiv’s long-standing engagement in scholarly, educational, and curatorial activities significantly influences his artistic method and contributes to the formation of a coherent worldview embodied in his paintings.

The scientific novelty of the article lies in interpreting Roman Yatsiv’s oeuvre as an integrated system where artistic practice and analytical experience interact continuously, as well as in understanding landscape as a key factor in constructing the artist’s cultural identity. The findings contribute to a broader understanding of the mechanisms through which contemporary Ukrainian artistic consciousness is formed and may serve as a basis for further studies in art history and cultural theory.

Keywords: Roman Yatsiv; Ukrainian art; contemporary painting; cultural identity; landscape; visual thinking; artistic method; art history; curatorial practice; phenomenology of space; Ukrainian modernism; art education.

REFERENCES

  • Stasenko, V. (2026, April 29). «Horizon» of Roman Yatsiv: presence in a meaningful space. Zbruc. Retrieved from: https://zbruc.eu/node/124199 [in Ukrainian].
  • Yatsiv, R. (2006). Ukrainian art of the 20th century: ideas, phenomena, personalities: collection of articles. NAN Ukrainy; Instytut narodoznavstva [in Ukrainian].
  • Yatsiv, R.M. (Ed.). (2011). Ukrainian art exhibitions in Lviv, 1919—1939: handbook; anthology of art-critical thought. Lvivska natsionalna akademiia mystetstv; Instytut narodoznavstva NAN Ukrainy [in Ukrainian].
  • Yatsiv, R. (2013). Ukrainian art of the 20th century: ideas, phenomena, personalities: collection of articles. Nats. akad. nauk Ukrainy; In-t narodoznavstva [in Ukrainian].
  • Yatsiv, R.M. (Ed.), & Pavliuk, S. (Sci. Ed.). (2012—2021). Ideas, meanings, interpretations of fine arts: Ukrainian theoretical thought of the 20th century: anthology: in 4 parts. LNAM; In-t narodoznavstva NAN Ukrainy. Yatsiv, R.M. (Ed.). (2012). Part 1; Yatsiv, R.M., & Pavliuk. S. (Eds.). (2012). Part 2;Yatsiv, R.M. (Ed.). (2019). Part 3. ISBN 978-617-7746-03-3; Yatsiv, R.M., & Pavliuk. S. (Eds.). (2021). Part 4 ISBN 978-966-02-9755-5 [in Ukrainian].
  • Yatsiv, R., & Davymuka, S. (Eds.). (2021). Small chronology of art events and memorable dates of the 20th century: Ukraine — world: local-individual research perspective: handbook. Lviv:Apriori [in Ukrainian].
  • Shmahalo, R. (Ed.). (2007). Creativity of art historians. Exhibition catalog. LNAM [in Ukrainian].
  • Yatsiv, R. (2017). Praise of silence: painting, graphics. Lviv:Apriori [in Ukrainian].

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