- May 20, 2025
- 4:53 pm
- Israel
The “Two Colors” exhibition by Ukrainian artist Polina Veller opens in Tel Aviv — embroidery as a visual code of strength and memory.
Dialogue of cultures in the language of symbols
On May 23, 2025, a special event will take place in Tel Aviv at the Ukrainian Cultural Center — the opening of the “Two Colors” exhibition by artist Polina Veller. This is more than an exhibition — it is a cultural manifesto: a reinterpretation of Ukrainian embroidery as monumental painting, immersing the viewer in history, pain, resistance, and identity.
Author of the project — Polina Veller
Polina Veller is a Ukrainian designer and artist, participant of Paris Fashion Week (2019), and author of numerous installations, performances, and exhibitions in Ukraine and abroad. Her artistic style stands out for its social boldness and deep exploration of Ukrainian cultural memory.
“My native Kyiv region is known for its black and red embroidery.”
Red symbolizes life, love, blood.
Black symbolizes earth, memory, strength.
These two colors are like two lines of fate guiding us through history.
They became the foundation of my embroidered paintings — in them, I reinterpret tradition as monumental art, not merely as decoration but as a symbol, a form of cultural resistance, continuity, and self-expression. My canvases are interpreted embroidery that has moved beyond fabric and now speaks in the language of contemporary imagery. It doesn’t just decorate — it roots, heals, and reminds us of who we are beyond the homeland.
May every embroidered shirt today — on the body, on canvas, in song, or in the heart — be a sign of our strength and identity.”
Organizers
- Ukrainian Cultural Center in Tel Aviv
- Embassy of Ukraine in the State of Israel
The organizers emphasize the importance of this event as a dialogue between two peoples — Jewish and Ukrainian — who share a common history of trauma and resistance to oppression.
The “Two Colors” Exhibition: Embroidery as a Cultural Code
The “Two Colors” exhibition explores the black-and-red symbolism of traditional embroidery from Kyiv region, where:
- Red symbolizes life, love, blood
- Black symbolizes earth, memory, strength
Polina Veller transfers these motifs to canvas, transforming them into monumental visual narratives, where embroidery becomes more than decoration — it becomes a form of cultural resistance, self-awareness, and memory of ancestors.
What to Expect
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Ukrainian Cultural Center in Tel Aviv |
| Date | Friday, May 23, 2025 |
| Time | 19:00 – 21:00 |
| Format | Painting exhibition inspired by embroidery motifs |
Entry upon prior registration
Polina Veller: Voice of Ukrainian Art
In the context of ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine, art gains special significance — as an act of resilience, identity, and struggle. Polina Veller doesn’t just present her works; she speaks on behalf of the Ukrainian nation, which continues to preserve and transmit its culture even far from home.
Why it Matters for Israelis
The Jewish community in Israel, especially Israelis of Ukrainian descent, will see in this project echoes of their own history — how a cultural code can preserve a people, even in exile. The embroidered shirt, like the tefillin, is a symbol of identity passed through generations.
Cultural Cooperation Between Israel and Ukraine
This project is another link in the chain of initiatives strengthening mutual understanding and solidarity between the peoples of Israel and Ukraine. On our website NAnews – Israel News, we have written about such initiatives many times — and “Two Colors” is a vivid example.
Such events are essential for preserving Ukrainian identity in the diaspora, fostering Jewish-Ukrainian dialogue, and as a response to attempts to erase cultural memory.
Why You Should Attend
- See how Ukrainian embroidery is reimagined as painting
- Experience a shared cultural memory
- Support Ukrainian culture in Israel
NAnews – Israel News
On our website NAnews – Israel News, you’ll find more details about this exhibition and other cultural events that bring together the Jewish and Ukrainian communities. Stay tuned for updates!
Entry upon prior registration
