Zinaida in ‘Women and Other Wild Creature: Matrilineal Tales’ at Sapar Contemporary

Centered on female experience and knowledge, Ukrainian artist Zinaida’s art practice has delved into traditional crafts and customs of remote rural communities in Western Ukraine.  Over years of research trips, the artist has come to know traditional craftswomen, such as a maker of goose feather bridal crowns who before passing away left the artist a partial crown and instructions to finish it. In this piece at Sapar Contemporary, the customary red necklace worn by a bride is enlarged into an ungainly adornment, turned dark as if blackened by fire representing ‘arid land, charred wood.’ (On view through August 26th).

Zinaida, Black Bride, 23 5/8 x 35 3/8 inches, 2022.

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Merrily Kerr

Merrily Kerr is an art critic and writer based in New York. For more than 20 years, Merrily has published in international art magazines including Time Out New York, Art on Paper, Flash Art, Art Asia Pacific, Art Review, and Tema Celeste in addition to writing catalogue essays and guest lecturing. Merrily teaches art appreciation at Marymount Manhattan College and has taught for Cooper Union Continuing Education. For more than a decade Merrily has crafted personalized tours of cultural discovery in New York's galleries and museums for individuals and groups, including corporate tours, collectors, artists, advertising agencies, and student groups from Texas Woman's University, Parsons School of Design, Chicago's Moody Institute, Cooper Union Continuing Education, Hunter College Continuing Education and other institutions. Merrily's tours have been featured in The New York Times, Conde Nast Traveler, Sydney Morning Herald and Philadelphia Magazine. Merrily is licensed by New York City's Department of Consumer Affairs as a tour guide and is a member of the International Association of Art Critics (AICA USA)