NGV’s Hermitage show hurts Ukraine

Ukraine has denounced the National Gallery of Victoria for pushing ahead with its planned blockbuster from Russia’s Hermitage.

BRIAN CRISP ST PETERSBERG: The Hermitage museum. Picture: Thinkstock

Ukraine’s most senior diplomat in Australia has denounced the National Gallery of Victoria for pushing ahead with its planned blockbuster from Russia’s State Hermitage in light of the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 last July, in which 38 Australians were among the 298 killed, and tougher new federal government sanctions against Moscow.

Two days before Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced on April 2 the exhibition at Melbourne’s flagship art gallery, the federal government introduced tighter sanctions against Russia in response to its aggression in Ukraine.

Ukraine’s charge d’affaires Mykola Dzhyzhora described the upcoming exhibition, Masterpieces from the Hermitage: The Legacy of Catherine the Great, as Russian “propaganda” and backed a request that if it were to go ahead, it be accompanied by a disclaimer about the war in Ukraine. The collection of 400 artworks coming to the NGV has been planned for four years and will run from July 31 to November 8.

“As an embassy, we can’t be involved but … our position is the gallery should inform that it does not support the Russian invasion in eastern Ukraine and annexation of Crimea,” Mr Dzhyzhora said.

Victoria’s peak body representing Ukrainians met NGV director Tony Ellwood last week to request a sign be displayed during the exhibition saying the gallery does not support the Russian rebels.

The group also requested the statement be carried on all future marketing material for what will be the biggest art exhibition the gallery stages this year.

Mr Ellwood declined to be interviewed yesterday but the gallery’s media office issued a statement saying it would not adopt the disclaimer.

Chairman of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations Stefan Romaniw said the disclaimer would have been a satisfactory compromise for all parties but the group would now take its concerns to the federal government.

The NGV declined to say how much the exhibition cost.