YURII BARANNIK: GALLERIST, ARTIST, CURATOR, BEARER OF AN EDUCATIONAL MISSION

Abstract

The purpose of the paper. This article presents a comprehensive analysis of the multifaceted activities of Yurii Barannik (1954–2019), a key figure in the formation and development of the contemporary art scene in Zaporizhzhia.Methodology. The study is based on historical and art-historical analysis, tracing the evolution of Barannik’s artistic work. Primary sources – scholarly studies, media publications, and personal testimonies – were used. A systematic and descriptive approach was applied to analyze his cultural activities and projects.Scientific novelty. This is the first attempt at a holistic academic study of Yurii Barannik’s activities and his significant impact on the artistic landscape of Zaporizhzhia. The article systematizes and summarizes information about his major initiatives. His personal artistic work, particularly in the field of light projections – an underexplored aspect of his creative output – is also analyzed.Conclusions. The research emphasizes Barannik’s contribution to the renewal of Zaporizhzhia’s cultural environment and the popularization of land art in Ukraine and beyond. The Barannik Gallery became a center for artistic exchange, while the Khortytsia Land Art Festival promoted art in natural settings. His work extended beyond curating exhibitions and festivals – the “Constructivism Weeks,” the international conference on Zaporizhzhia modernism and the Bauhaus, and the “Historical Locations” project, uniting four festivals across the city, are examined. The gallery’s role in establishing a tourist information center is also highlighted. Despite his busy organizational activity, Barannik’s own artistic practice – particularly his use of light projections to reveal the uniqueness of space – demonstrated his distinctive creative talent.