The Museum of Contemporary Art in Odesa sadly announces the unexpected passing of Volodymyr Petrovych Naumets – a prominent figure in Ukrainian art whose works greatly influenced the evolution of contemporary art.

Volodymyr Naumets was a pioneer of conceptual art in Odesa, actively participating in the nonconformist movement and introducing innovative media into his art, notably neon installations.

His artistic journey combined abstract painting, iconographic traditions, and performative practices, creating profound images that transform everyday life into symbols of eternity. His performances, such as "Sign on the Snow," left an indelible mark on the history of Ukrainian avant-garde.

The team at the Museum of Contemporary Art emphasized that Volodymyr Naumets was not only a master of painting, graphics, video art, and performances but also a person of immense intellectual strength who inspired everyone fortunate enough to collaborate with him.

“The loss of Volodymyr Naumets is a significant blow to the artistic community in Ukraine and worldwide. We take pride in the fact that a considerable part of his creative legacy is preserved in our collections and will be accessible for future generations,” the museum stated.

About Volodymyr Naumets

Born in 1945 in Lviv, Volodymyr Petrovych Naumets received his artistic education at the Odesa State Art College (1959-1964) and the Moscow State Academic Art Institute (1965-1970).

In the 1970s, he actively participated in unofficial "apartment" exhibitions in Odesa and Moscow.

The works of Volodymyr Naumets are held in the collections of the Odesa Literary Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Odesa, the Museum of Contemporary Fine Art of Ukraine, as well as in art museums in Bern, Vienna, New York, and in private collections around the world.