Ivan Gonchar Museum was founded in September 1993. With a view to the revival of national culture and ethnic identity, preservation and development of the best traditions of Ukrainian folk art and perpetuate the memory of Ivan Makarovich Gonchar (27.01.1911-18.06.1993), People's Artist of Ukraine, laureate of the State Prize of Ukraine of T.Shevchenko. The museum was established on the basis of his private collection, which in the 60s of the last century became the center of national revival.
Museum has the richest funds, which consist of more than 15 000 exhibits XVII-XX centuries and present the considerable scientific interest and artistic value. The artistic heritage of the artist is represented by a sculptures (about 400 exhibits), the portrait gallery of heroes and historical figures of Ukrainian culture, genre scenes, sketches of the monuments, small plastic. Section of painting and drawing Ivan Gonchar consist of more than 1,000 works by the artist during his travels across Ukraine. On the basis of the collected material Ivan Gonchar has created a series of historical and ethnographic albums "Ukraine and Ukrainians" (18 volumes), which depicted the original universe of Ukrainians: old photographs of people in folk costumes, portraits of prominent figures of culture, the local scenery, customs, art and ethnographic memories.
Now the museum is located in the lower 6 halls st. Ivan Mazepa (January Uprising), 29. Here you can see a clay, straw, wooden ware, embroidery, clothing, carpets, carved utensils, tiles, samples of folk art and iconography, Cossack weapons and pipes , folk instruments. Two halls are reserved for paintings of unknown artists and amateurs. There are here portraits of Shevchenko, and numerous "Cossack Mamai" and "Natalka Poltavka", where on the background a mother awaits daughter with a children cradle, a lot of primitive landscapes that fascinate with their sincerity. There are presented variations on the theme of "Galya carries water" and "Rendezvous" with a traditional well and the horse, there is a "Karas and Odarka" and even "Treason" in disturbing shades of brown. Such paintings just a few decades ago decorated the parlor of our grandmothers, and then gradually were moved to the attic. But as a collection the paintings attract with their interesting historical and artistic memories.
By the way, two halls are reserved for the exhibition of folk master designer who works with a variety of linen fabrics (domestic and foreign) in various techniques, for children and adults, based on samples of clothing of Kyivan Rus. Wonderful dolls in stylized folk costume also attract the attention.
Museum workers are hoping to expand the exhibition and gladly accept numerous visitors.
Address: 01015, Kyiv-15, st. Ivan Mazepa 29.