Narva Art Residency is proud to announce that Ukrainian sculptor Ihor Tkachivskyi has been selected for the 2025 edition of NAIR, Narva’s public space installation residency programme. Tkachivskyi has already reached Narva for the first preparations and the series of sculptures is set to be unveiled in mid-September.
Now in its second year, NAIR is organized by the Narva Art Residency (NART) in partnership with the Narva City Department of Architecture and Urban Planning (ALPA). The programme brings contemporary art into public spaces and fosters dialogue between artists and local communities. In 2024, Lithuanian architect Augustas Lapinskas inaugurated the initiative with Tuhast, an installation warmly received by Narva’s residents.
This summer, Tkachivskyi is in Narva to create a new sculptural composition titled The Joy of Being Human. Made from welded metal plates, the piece explores the five senses and celebrates the human body as one of our most vital and enduring resources. In the artist’s own words: “The theme itself is a symbol—you can see it in the news, hear it in the news, smell the change, touch the present and the future, taste life. This is human life.”
The large-scale work will be installed near Narva Town Hall, along the western edge of Helsingi Street, and will also serve as a platform for outdoor exhibitions, inviting engagement from a wide range of community groups.
Ihor Tkachivskyi doesn’t simply craft beautiful forms. Known for his evocative and thought-provoking work, Ihor aims to spark reflection and emotional connection in his audience. With over 80 international exhibitions, symposiums, and residencies to his name, his sculptures can be found in private collections spanning the globe, from Argentina to South Korea. His practice embraces a wide range of materials, including bronze, wood, stone, ice, and snow.
The competition jury consisted of experts in architecture, urban planning, and art: Johanna Rannula (head of the Narva Art Residency), Peeter Tambu (chief architect of Narva), Kaie Enno (head of the department of architecture and urban planning of Narva), Raivo Kotov (architect at KOKO Architects), Ann Kristiin Entson (tactical urbanism expert at the Tallinn Spatial Design Department), Ra Martin Puhkan (architect at Stuudio Täna), and Kirke Kangro (dean of the faculty of fine arts at the Estonian Academy of Arts). After several stages of discussions, and evaluations, the jury collectively made a thoughtful and shared selection of the winner. The selection process also involved Narva’s active residents, including young activists, art teachers and art scholars.
The project is supported by the City of Narva, the Estonian Ministry of Culture, and the Estonian Cultural Endowment.
