Lviv’s Jam Factory Art Center is gearing up for its second exhibition titled “In Memory of the One Who Keeps the Memory” curated by Lizaveta German and Maria Lanko. Running from May 11 to September 8, it showcases artworks from Ukraine, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia, created between the 1950s and 2024.
Lizaveta German and Maria Lanko are accomplished independent curators, researchers, and the visionary co-founders behind The Naked Room Gallery in Kyiv. Additionally, they are the driving forces behind the Ukrainian Emergency Art Fund. Together, they’ve curated over 30 exhibitions, forging partnerships with esteemed art institutions across Ukraine, such as the National Art Museum of Ukraine, the Art Arsenal, the Goethe-Institut, the British Council, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ukrainian Institute.
Curators Lizaveta German and Maria Lanko. Photo by Sasha Maslov.The exhibition explores the preservation and reproduction of memory, drawing connections between past artistic expressions and contemporary creativity. It critically examines the hierarchical and political structures shaping gender, national, and genre identities, particularly under repressive systems like the Soviet era. Additionally, the space reflects on displaced identities and hidden lives, exploring artistic strategies to reintegrate them into the public consciousness.
At its core, the exhibition’s narrative revolves around the life and creative journey of Ukrainian artist Alina Lamakh (1925–2020), often overshadowed by her husband Valerii Lamakh, a prominent monumental artist and key figure of the Sixties generation.
Anna Daučíková. Portrait of a Woman with Institution — Alina Lamakh with Textile Industry, 2017, HD video single channel, colour, sound, 13´53´´Alina Lamakh’s untold story prompts contemplation on fundamental questions: Can the preservation of art not our own be considered an independent artistic endeavour? Can the dedication to continuing someone else’s legacy serve as a counterpoint to the constant demand for innovation in the contemporary art scene?
Alina Lamakh. Lady with a Unicorn, 2011-2013, tapestry, 100х65 cm“We conceived the concept and initiated work on the exhibition four years ago, and its essence has remained virtually unchanged. Its narratives resonate even more strongly with us now: the rediscovery of Ukrainian art episodes, a fresh perspective on marginalised aspects and figures of its history, and a dialogue with parallel yet lesser-known practices of artists from other nations,” say both curators.
Follow @jamfactory.artcenter on Instagram to keep up with their upcoming exhibitions.
