All that Matters… The Art of Ivaan Kotulsky in Retrospect

By John Pidkowich

An exhibition of jewellery, sculpture and objets d’art by renowned Ukrainian Canadian metal artist Ivaan Kotulsky recently opened on January 23 at the Ukrainian Museum of Canada – Ontario Branch at St. Vladimir Institute in Toronto. Many of the guests in attendance knew Ivaan Kotulsky personally, and have many memories and stories about him. Kotulsky had played an active role in the exhibit organizing committee but succumbed to illness and passed away in early December 2008.

Ivaan Kotulsky once said that his entire life has been a journey towards freedom. With talent and single-minded determination, he “forged a life of creating metal art [and] with exceptional style, managed to reject the conventions and expectations of his immigrant community, while maintaining ties to family, faith and heritage.”

Inspired by Lalique and Guimard, but especially by the artists of the Renaissance, Ivaan made objects of incredible beauty in gold, silver, bronze, copper, pewter, platinum and steel, as well as [in] his personal blend of steel and chrome. He used the ancient process of lost wax casting,” doing his own polishing and finishing for quality control. “Nature and music were frequent influences, as was his Ukrainian heritage. Ivaan said his art was literally a manifestation of what was occurring inside his head. Art is art. Its language is universal - quoting Kotulsky in prepared exhibit research notes.

Guests and patrons were welcomed to St. Vladimir Institute, home to the Museum, by exhibit co-curator Daria Diakowsky. Museum President Yvonne Ivanochko, members and enthusiastic volunteers were introduced as evening hosts for the exhibit opening and reception. All were honoured to mount the exhibit All that Matters – the Art of Ivaan Kotulsky in Retrospect.

Diakowsky stated that the organizing committee’s “goal for this exhibit was to transform our museum space into a home worthy of the work produced by this talented artist.  We chose not to embellish it with a lot of text, but to let the work speak for itself.  We have sprinkled ‘Kotulsky-ims’ throughout the space.  These [quotations] brought many a smile to us and we hope they will do the same for you.  We have used the artist’s own words to describe a few chosen photos that he took of some earlier work. We have added some personal photographs that we hope will help capture his spirit.” Diakowsky was grateful for inclusion in this collaborative effort, initiated by exhibit co-curator and researcher, Sonia Holiad.

In her opening address, Sonia Holiad provided biographical notes, stating “Ivaan was born in Köln, Germany in 1944 and came to Canada with his parents and sister in 1949. The family settled in Smoky Lake, Alberta for two years, before moving to Toronto. Ivaan attended Harbord Collegiate … After studying Photographic Arts at Ryerson, Ivaan shone as an award-winning photojournalist, but metal arts called and, in 1969, he left his job at MacLean-Hunter to pursue his passion, never looking back. The consummate ‘Man about Town,’ Ivaan met his match in Eya Donald Greenland when he was 26 [and], finally marrying … Throughout, Ivaan continued a dizzying output of his unique jewellery, sculpture and objets d’art.” 

The retrospective entitled All that Matters “includes an array of Ivaan’s work over the decades. Displayed amongst the pieces are photos and mementos of his family, his heritage, and his involvement in the social scene of the day. In addition, we have recreated his workbench, to give you a sense of the materials and tools required of the metal craft,” continued Holiad.

Holiad offered the best voyeur advice for patrons to view and enjoy the exhibition opening - “keep an eye on the people around you, because this is one evening when there is probably as much good Kotulsky jewellery on display on the guests as there is on display in the gallery.”

Her remarks brought attention to the fact “that Ivaan suffered a series of progressively debilitating strokes in recent years is known to most; that he continued to create, to dream, and to take life-altering chances to the very end is a testament to his spirit - Ivaan lived well, and he died well, and that is “all that matters.”

In closing, Holiad with great respect and affection recognised Eya for sharing Ivaan and her ideas about a retrospective and how the exhibit venue “seemed to make emotional sense, and Ivaan was very pleased with the choice.” Holiad praised the Ukrainian Museum as “The Little Museum that Could,” due in great part to the “creativity and endless energy of co-curator Daria Diakowsky, who has never met an installation challenge for which she couldn’t find a solution.”

Outside of the exhibit gallery, continuous viewing of a series of video interviews Ivaan gave to the Ukrainian television program “Svitohliad” was assembled by Stefan Genyk-Berezowsky.

All that Matters “is dedicated to the spirit of Ivaan Kotulsky and to the grace of Eya Donald Greenland. This exhibition celebrates Ivaan’s 40-year love affair with molten metal.” There will be a second “open house” and sale of Ivaan’s jewellery in the museum gallery on Sunday, March 22 from 2-5 p.m. The exhibit runs until October 31, 2009 at the Ukrainian Museum of Canada, UWAC Ontario Branch at St. Vladimir Institute, 620 Spadina Ave., Toronto. Tel.: 416-923-3318, ext. 105.

PHOTOS

1 - Kotulsky's renowned metal art eggs

2 - L. to R.: Exhibit co-curators Daria Diakowsky and Sonia Holiad with Ivaan's wife, Eya Donald Greenland

3 - Ivaan Kotulsky's metal craft workbench with artist's materials and tools