Author Biography

Bilyk Ivan (1910-1999) is a famous Ukrainian potter. He attended the Opishnian Pottery Training and Demonstration Center (1923-1924). He continued to study with his uncle, the famous Khyzhnyakiv potter Yakov Pichka. He worked at the "Art Ceramics" factory (1929). After World War II, he started working in a creative laboratory and teaching beginners. Bilyk's element was the sculpture of small forms - lions, rams, and grasshoppers. He also made vases with a relief ornament and decorative plates. He did everything himself: he made pottery, decorated, engobed, and watered. At the international biennale in Faenza (Italy, 1971) he was awarded a laureate diploma. Honored Master of Folk Art of Ukraine (since 1971). Laureate of the award named after D. Shcherbakivskyi (1995). Laureate of the National Prize of Ukraine named after T. Shevchenko (1999). Bilyk pottery represented the art of Ukraine at domestic and international competitions in Belgium, Canada, Yugoslavia, France, the Netherlands, the USA, Norway, Great Britain and other countries of the world.