Symbolic tendencies in the artwork of Andriy Bludov

The purpose of the article is to investigate the multidimensional artwork of Andriy Bludov – a representative of Ukrainian visual art in the context of his appeal to traditional Western European symbolic trends and appeals to the Ukrainian cultural code, which is manifested in archetypal symbols. The research methodology consists of the complex application of analytical and comparative methods. Through the prism of aesthetic and philosophical analysis, to explore the manifestations of symbolic trends in the artwork of Andriy Bludov. Using the comparative method of research to trace the influence of Western European cultural tradition on the artwork of Ukrainian artist. Scientific novelty: for the first time a culturological analysis of the manifestation of symbolic tendencies in the work of Andriy Bludov was carried out on the example of his works in the art projects «Voices» and «Emblemata». Also, the specifics of the author's use of symbols and symbolic images in the context of contemporary Ukrainian visual art are studied. Conclusion. The article presents a detailed culturological analysis of the multidimensional creative activity of the famous Ukrainian symbolist artist Andriy Bludov – a representative of modern Ukrainian visual art, which organically combines painting with the techniques of silk-screen printing, lacing and collage. The artist works in various genres, giving his own works a range of traditional symbols and symbolic images that evoke in the viewer's own associative images to interpret the meanings in the depicted symbols. It was also analyzed that in the works of the series «Voices» Andriy Bludov, through the use of Ukrainian archetypal ethno-national images and symbols, highlights important themes of today – identity and national consciousness of the Ukrainian people. In addition, it is determined that the master, researching Baroque encyclopedias «Emblems», refers to the language of sacred ancient symbols of Western European art. He creates his own project «Emblemata» and interprets traditional symbols in the context of modern worldview in his own way, thus urging the viewer to attempt to decode symbolic mysterious images. Thus, it should be concluded that this study confirms the existence and dynamic development of symbolism in the context of contemporary Ukrainian visual art on the example of the world-famous Ukrainian symbolist artist Andriy Bludov. Key words: visual art, Ukrainian symbolism, symbol, symbolic image, archetype, association, painting, silk-screen printing, the technique of scumbling and collage.