Ivan Padalka Ivanovich

Biography

Ivan Ivanovych Padalka was born on November 15, 1894 in the village of Zhornoklyovy, Zolotonsky district, Poltava province (now Cherkasy region, Ukraine). His father, Ivan Hryhorovych, was an average peasant, and his mother, Daria Kostyantynivna, took care of a large family consisting of ten people.

The beginning of creativity

Ivan received his primary education in a church-parish school. His love of learning and art was supported by his father, who liked to read history. In 1909, Ivan entered the artistic and industrial ceramic school in Myrhorod, where he studied under Opanas Slastion. There, his works were often exhibited at annual exhibitions. Due to his rebellious views, Padalka was expelled from school, but this did not stop him. He continued his studies at the Poltava Ethnographic Museum.

Professional artist

In 1913, Ivan Padalka entered the Kyiv Art School, where he won two awards for excellent studies. After graduating from school in 1917, he continued his education at the Ukrainian Academy of Arts, where he studied in the workshop of Mykhailo Boychuk. At that time, Padalka took part in painting the Lutsk military barracks in Kyiv.

In 1920, Padalka became a teacher at the Myrhorod Art and Ceramic Technical School, and later at the Mezhyhirsky Technical School. He also worked at the Kharkiv Art and Industrial Institute and the Kyiv Art Institute.

Creativity

Ivan Padalka created a large number of paintings, graphics and decorative works. Among his paintings:

• "Attack of the Red Cavalry"
• "Photographer in the village"
• "Milkhouses"
• "Harvesting Eggplants"
• "Apple picking"
• "Competition of miners"
• "Two"
• "Ukrainka"
• "Still life"
• "Portrait of Valerian Polishchuk"
• "Portrait of Maria Pasko's wife"
• "Self-portrait"

Graphic works of Padalka include:

• "They carry a comrade"
• "From the field"
• "Shepherd"
• "Peasants"
• "Rebels"
• "Portrait of Grigory Skovoroda"
• "Red Cavalry"
• "Trucks"

He also illustrated books, including:

• "A word about Igor's regiment"
• "Legends of the Tatras"
• "Nun"
• "God bless Ramo"
• "Kobzar"
• "Aeneid"

Participation in international exhibitions

Ivan Padalka participated in numerous international exhibitions, including exhibitions in Cologne, Amsterdam, Winterthur, Stockholm, Oslo, Venice, Berlin, Vienna, London, Zurich, Geneva, Paris, Japan, Warsaw and Copenhagen.

The murder of the artist

On September 29, 1936, Ivan Padalka was kidnapped by NKVD employees. After being tortured in prison, on July 13, 1937, he was sentenced to death and shot. In 1958, he was rehabilitated, but his relatives did not receive any compensation.

Exhibitions and students

Ivan Padalka's works were exhibited at many international exhibitions. Among his students were famous artists such as Oleksandr Dovhal and Isak Khotinok.

Ivan Padalka left a significant mark in Ukrainian art, becoming one of the symbols of the Shot dead revival. His work, despite repression, continues to inspire new generations of artists.