Photo by Dinara Khairova

In the heart of Soho, on West Broadway, a new Ukrainian art exhibition opened on November 4th, instantly enchanting the hearts of both passionate art enthusiasts and casual passersby alike. 

At the entrance, beautiful and captivating posters proclaim, “The First Ukrainian Gallery—Diamond Jam.” Drawn in by the intriguing brand imagery and mesmerizing, never-before-seen pieces visible through the glass windows, viewers can’t resist stepping inside to explore this mysterious beauty. 

“The First Ukrainian Gallery US” is a brand new art project, brought to New York by a team of exceptionally passionate Ukrainians, firmly united by the war that burst upon their homeland. Their aim is to showcase the beauty and cultural richness of Ukraine through art, as well as financially support Ukrainian artists and establish a curated platform for their artworks to be seen and purchased in the US. 

Diamond Jam is the team’s first project in NYC. Eye-catching and remarkably tastefully arranged, the exhibition features 23 brilliant contemporary artists from all over Ukraine. They work in various mediums and styles, but are all united by their Ukrainian identity and strong artistic skills. 

“I choose working with artists who prioritize technique and quality over quantity and speed of work. The ones that do it of pure passion, not of the desire to sell more. The artists presented in Diamond Jam have classical art education, making them true masters deeply grounded in skill. They execute old painting techniques, applying the paint layer by layer. They use high quality materials in their work. With such a detailed and masterful approach, these paintings take weeks to be finished. This artwork is worth every cent you pay for it,” shares Maria Manyulenko, the Art Curator and Director of the exhibition. 

For its organizers, Diamond Jam is not only an artistic achievement, but a powerful statement about the cultural richness and resilience of Ukrainians. They emphasize that the war is influencing all aspects of life, including art. Many of the artists participating in Diamond Jam are now refugees scattered across Europe, while others are choosing to stay or unable to leave Ukraine amidst the war, but not a single one has avoided experiencing the darkness brought about by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Nevertheless, they continue to create and share beauty with the world. 

“Russia’s invasion turned our country into a headline, but Ukraine is so much more than a constant news feed of battles and tragedies. Ukrainians are a nation bursting with creativity, passion, tenderness, tolerance, and a thirst for life, and we want the world to see it as such,” says Olga Severina, the Design Director and Curator of the project. 

All profit from the artworks sold here will be reinvested into creating new exhibitions and art events, with the ultimate goal of establishing a permanent Ukrainian gallery in New York City, serving as an art hub for the brightest Ukrainian artists. Part of the sales will be donated to the project’s partners Sunflower Network, who are currently fundraising for building a children’s hospital in western Ukraine. 

Diamond Jam brings truly fresh and unique contemporary art to the Big Apple’s art scene, impressing even the pickiest of New Yorkers. Be sure to visit the exhibition in Soho until November 12th to dive into the rich tapestry of Ukrainian art and support the artists by exploring their unique stories of passion, courage, and love woven into each piece.

Media Contact
Company Name: The First Ukrainian Gallery US, Diamond Jam inc.
Contact Person: Olga Severina
Email: Send Email
Country: United States
Website: thefirstukrainiangallery.com