Ukrainian+American+Artwork

=﻿ Ukrainian American Immigration=





The immigrations of Ukrainian people to the United States can be summed up into three large waves. The first wave occurred during the 1870’s which originated mainly from an area shared by southern Poland and Ukraine known as Galicia. These immigrants were mostly poor and uneducated peasants that were looking for better jobs and new opportunities. When they arrived in America, they took low paying jobs working in mines and factories. This first wave of immigrants settled mostly in New York, New Jersey and Pennslyvania. The second wave occurred shortly after World War II when thousands of Ukrainians were admitted under the Displaced Persons Act. These immigrants came to America after the war had ravaged most of Europe to live a better life. Many of these refugees were well educated and easily integrated into American society. The last and most recent wave of immigrants occurred in the early 90’s. Many immigrants came to America after the fall of the Soviet Union which at the time had control over Ukraine. Like the refugees who came over after World War Two, these immigrants were well educated and smoothly assimilated into society. There are many Ukrainian-American artists that have made contributions to our culture but one in particular is Misha Reznikoff. He was born in Kiev, Ukraine in 1905 and was noted for his 1934 piece //The End of the Horse – Or the New Deal//. I find this piece interesting because it speculates on the the New Deal which is an important part of American history. Another famous Ukrainian-American artists was Alexander Archipenko. Like Misha, he was born in Kiev, Ukraine and also studied at an art school there. One piece of his that stands out is a sculpture of two figures dancing, titled //Dancers//. It stands out to me because the figures don’t appear as humans which leave you to imagine what they are. //The End of the Horse – Or the New Deal// is an interesting piece of artwork. The group of people walking up the stairs could symbolize the poor farm workers moving to the city. The stairs could show their rise and increase in salary because they are getting new jobs in factories. These themes are part of the American voice because they are what America was made off and what it was built off of. The sculpture //Dancers// is a modern looking artistic expression of America. The question of what exactly the figures are demonstrates the American voice’s unique style and at times unknown nature. The action of dancing might demonstrate that act of American life by showing the American figures.

Phil Cara