The Lace of Light: Ukrainian Vytynanka Between Tradition and Modernity

Wyndham Social, in collaboration with The Ukrainian Society of Hong Kong, proudly present The Lace of Light: Ukrainian Vytynanka Between Tradition and Modernity by Ukrainian artist Tetyana Kuzmych (Kashuba), where a fragile tradition with immense strength witnesses stories of courage, resilience and hope.

Vytynanka (вити́нанка), the Ukrainian art of intricate paper-cutting, traces its origins to the 15th-16th centuries, emerging as an accessible, affordable way practised by villagers, especially women, to bring beauty into rural homes. Initially serving as festive decorations for windows and walls, these symmetrical designs often featured motifs inspired by nature, mythology, and daily life, symbolising protection, prosperity, and harmony.

In Tetyana Kuzmych’s hands, this fragile medium becomes a luminous declaration of identity, memory, and the enduring spirit of Ukraine. Tetyana Kuzmych is a leading Ukrainian artist specialising in Vytynanka. For this exhibition in Hong Kong, Tetyana is bringing her record-setting Vytynanka which incorporates Kyiv-region ornaments, traditional Christmas symbolism, and the Ukrainian coat of arms—motifs of dignity, resilience, protection, and cultural strength. Each intricate cut and pattern tells a story of hope and perseverance, serving as a reminder of the enduring human spirit even in the face of immense hardship. The dominant red colour, powerful and evocative, symbolises not only love and vitality but also solemn remembrance of those who have given their lives defending Ukraine.