Memories of the Past 1985

Curator: This is Valentin Khrushch's "Memories of the Past," created in 1985. It is rendered in ceramic. Editor: My first impression is one of quiet tension. The still life presents a lone fish, laid upon an ornate plate. It feels austere, almost mournful. Curator: The work certainly offers layers of interpretation, particularly within the social and political context of 1980s Ukraine. The title "Memories of the Past" suggests a reflection on cultural identity and perhaps a longing for simpler times, especially under the Soviet regime. Food can often serve as a strong symbol of cultural heritage. Editor: Yes, the arrangement—the dark fish contrasted against the pale plate, bisecting the composition—evokes a sense of stark realism. The curvature of the ceramic fish form is strikingly like a real dried fish, lying rigid across this porcelain expanse. It’s a beautifully austere aesthetic. Curator: And the plate itself is telling. The words, possibly Cyrillic script for “Restaurant Ukraine,” suggests an allusion to collective experiences, yet there is a single, isolated figure upon it. It’s very much concerned with issues of Ukrainian identity at the time and how such imagery could be a means of protest against Soviet suppression. Editor: The details in the decoration offer counterpoints of opulence—the gilded edges and the floral motif seem delicate. These touches offset the harshness I observed initially. It plays with our reading. Curator: Ultimately, Khrushch created a powerful visual commentary on identity and the complexities of remembering a past inevitably tinged by socio-political change. It invites viewers to engage critically with shared history, making its point about collective identity with relatively limited means. Editor: Seeing it this way, what seemed like a plain still life holds far greater depth and implication. Thank you for opening my eyes to it.