Join us for the Wings Born On The Journey exhibition opening

Wings Born On The Journey: An Exhibition of Petrykivka Art

Join us for the opening of an exhibition celebrating Petrykivka painting — one of Ukraine’s most distinctive decorative art traditions.

The exhibition brings together works by Ukrainian artists living in the UK and Ukraine, exploring how a centuries-old artistic tradition continues to live, evolve and find new meaning today.

Originating in the village of Petrykivka in central Ukraine, this decorative painting tradition is recognised for its intricate flowers, leaves, berries and birds, created through distinctive brushwork and techniques passed down through generations. In 2013, UNESCO inscribed Petrykivka decorative painting on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Wings Born On The Journey presents Petrykivka not simply as a traditional craft, but as a living form of Ukrainian art and cultural identity. Through paintings and works created on different materials and objects, the exhibition shows both the tradition's continuity and the individual voices of contemporary artists working with it.

The exhibition also creates a meeting point between Ukrainian culture and audiences in the UK — an opportunity to discover the history behind Petrykivka, look closely at its extraordinary detail and learn more about the people keeping this tradition alive.

Opening night

We invite you to join us for the exhibition opening on Friday, 6 November 2026.

Come meet the people behind the project, discover the works on display, listen to live music from Ukrainians, try painting Petrykivka yourself, and spend an evening surrounded by Ukrainian art and culture.

Friday, 6 November 2026

Official opening at 17:00

Compas Charity,

27 Rivergate Arcade,

Peterborough, UK

Admission is free.

The exhibition will remain open throughout November 2026.

About Maiak

The exhibition is organized by Maiak, a bilingual Ukrainian-English magazine, together with Luledielli Art Atelier and Compas Charity, with support from Ukrainian Diaspora Aid.

All the paintings used for this event's posters were hand-painted by Ukrainian artist Liudmyla Makei.

Description supplied by the event organiser.