Entertainment · Books & Arts · 19 hrs ago
A new book explores Ukraine’s naive and folk art
A new book, “Naive My Love,” brings together Ukrainian naive and folk art, with work by about 40 self-taught artists.
French publisher Assouline made it in collaboration with Ukrainian fashion and design brand Gunia Project.
Folk art grows from traditions shared across generations, while naive art usually reflects an individual artist’s vision.
In the Soviet Union, these personal works stood apart from socialist realism, the only art form officially approved for artists seeking careers.
The book features Maria Prymachenko, known for vivid colors and fantastical creatures, and Polina Raiko, who began painting her home’s walls at age 69.
Raiko’s house in Oleshky became a national heritage site but was almost completely destroyed in flooding in summer 2023 after Russia blew up the Kakhovka dam.
Oleshky remains under Russian occupation, and residents face shortages and dangers that make evacuation difficult.
A new book, “Naive My Love,” celebrates Ukraine’s naive and folk art.
French publisher Assouline made the book in collaboration with Ukrainian fashion and design brand Gunia Project.
It includes short biographies of about 40 self-taught Ukrainian painters and sculptors, alongside examples of their art.
The book describes how personal works offered an alternative to socialist realism, the only officially sanctioned art form in the Soviet Union for artists seeking careers.
It features artists including Maria Prymachenko and Polina Raiko, whose painted home in Oleshky was almost completely destroyed by flooding in 2023.
- Who
- French publisher Assouline and Ukrainian fashion and design brand Gunia Project produced the book. It features about 40 self-taught Ukrainian artists.
- What
- Naive My Love” explores Ukrainian naive and folk art through images, texts and artist biographies.
- When
- The Kyiv Independent article was published on October 11, 2026. The book’s release date is not stated.
- Where
- The book focuses on Ukrainian art and artists.
- Why
- It celebrates the art’s bold colors, imaginative motifs and personal visual language, and traces its origins.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
I was working in my garden, got tired, painted a dove, and rested. It was joyful. It was like I wasn't alone. I looked and looked at it — could I have really done that? No. But I did. I couldn't believe myself. And I was so, so joyful in my soul,
Polina Raiko began painting the walls of her home in Oleshky to cope with family hardships.
Raiko’s home was designated a national heritage site.
The house was almost completely destroyed after Russia blew up the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant dam, causing flooding.
- Book
- Naive My Love
- Publisher
- French publisher Assouline
- Collaborator
- Ukrainian fashion and design brand Gunia Project
- Artists featured
- About 40 self-taught Ukrainian painters and sculptors
- Flooding
- The Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant dam was blown up in summer 2023
Sources
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