Unlike the classical European anthropocentric tradition in art, this exhibition is dedicated to the world of animals.

Anna Voityuk, a devoted animal lover, seeks to remind us of the fragility and vulnerability of the animal world. Her project places the animal, its outer and inner beauty, on a pedestal of perfection. The project’s main goal is to emphasize the importance of protecting wildlife and recognizing the value of every animal’s life.

Conceptually, it challenges human egocentrism.

The exhibition presents 43 new works created using the techniques of etching and woodcut.

The first and principal subseries – “The Red Book of Ukraine”

Contains 13 etchings.

Its protagonists are thirteen animal species. Twelve of them are depicted in their natural habitats and portrayed with zoological accuracy in their behavior. The thirteenth animal also exists as a real species, but it is mythologized, and its image is drawn from folk beliefs and legends.

The compositions are constructed in such a way that each animal depicted on the printing plate appears confined within it, with its legs pressing against the edges of the plate.

The subseries is divided into four elements: earth, air, water, and fire.

Each element contains four animals, except for the final one, fire, which features a single mythologized animal based on a real prototype—the salamander.

The second subseries – “Motherhood”

Motherhood represents hope for the future survival of a species, a mother’s self-sacrifice, her readiness to protect her offspring and give her life for it, for the continuation of the lineage and the hope of survival in the future. It expands the archetype of the Madonna into the animal world. This also creates a sense of closeness between humans and animals, because there is nothing more familiar to both worlds than a mother’s love.

It includes 3 etchings and 4 woodcuts.

These works continue the theme of motherhood beyond the boundaries of the main subseries, giving it one of the key meanings within the entire project. The central visual image is that of a mother nursing her young.

The third subseries – “Birds of Ukraine”

Depicts 10 of Ukraine’s most remarkable birds, in the artist’s view. Each image has been carefully chosen and carries its own symbolism.

Technique: woodcut.

The fourth subseries – Ex Libris.

A subseries of deeply personal works reflecting the relationship between the person commissioning the bookplate and the artist’s vision, embodied in the form of an animal. Some of the works were created as coded images that can be fully understood only by the two people involved in their creation. 8 etchings.

Outside the subseries

Works that serve as an epilogue to the project, providing a playful conclusion. They feature guinea pigs, animals that hold a special place in the artist’s heart. 5 etchings.

Overall, the exhibition project unfolds like a performance in several acts. Although each act is distinct, together they develop a rich universe and a unified concept of respect, love, and fraternal relationships with animals, as opposed to hierarchical ones.

Anna Voytyuk
About myself
The purpose of my art is to reflect the beauty of an animal, both internal and external. An animal for me is a pure image that is created to be admired and which I want to replicate. I am inspired by the world of nature and children’s creativity.
Education
2025 – present: Master of Fine Arts | Institute of Printing and Media Technologies, Lviv Polytechnic National University
2018 – 2022: Bachelor of Fine Arts | Ukrainian Academy of Printing
2014 – 2018: Stained Glass Painter | Lviv Polytechnic University
2007 – 2014: Lviv Children’s Art School named after O. Novakivsky
Personal exhibitions
2026 – “Exlibris Animalia” | Gomin Center, Lviv
2025 – “Orchestra of Animals” | Lviv Organ Hall, Lviv
2024 – “When Animals Still Spoke” | Franko House (Ivan Franko National Museum), Lviv
2024 – “Carnival of Animals” | Lviv Organ Hall, Lviv
Awards
2025 – Young Artist Award, Sixth International Exlibris Competition in Varna, Bulgaria
2021 – Award International Biennial of Small Graphic Works “Between Black and White”, Poland
2021 – Second Place International Exlibris Competition “Trakai 700, in search of identity”
2021 – First Prize “Hommage a trois”, Barcelona, ​​Spain
2021 – Diploma “Exlibris – Extrains”, Bulgaria
2020 – Sixth Prize in Exlibris Aboensis, Finland
2020 – First Prize Exlibris Competition in Scaudvile, Lithuania
2020 – Award Bookplate Competition “Exlibris Unicornis”, Lithuania
2020 – Diploma 4th Bienal International Mini Print 2020, Laguna Pavia, Argentina