IMAGE OF THE COAT OF ARMS IN THE EXHIBITION PROJECT ‘SYMBOLS OF IDENTITY’

Abstract

The article examines the image of the Small State Coat of Arms of Ukraine as a component of the cultural code that has undergone significant transformations over the centuries and is now being actively reinterpreted in contemporary visual art. Particular attention is given to how the trident, one of the oldest Ukrainian symbols, functions within modern visual culture, serving not only as an element of the state’s official insignia but also as an emblem of resistance, strength, and unity of the Ukrainian people. Using the exhibition project “Symbols of Identity”, presented in the exhibition hall of the Modern Art Research Institute of the National Academy of Arts of Ukraine, the article traces the dynamic interaction between the trident symbol and public consciousness. The exposition demonstrates how young artists reinterpret and reimagine the state symbol, embedding within its image both historical motifs and elements of contemporary realities, particularly those shaped by war. The exhibited works reveal the trident not merely as a graphic sign but as a complex visual image capable of conveying emotional states, elements of national memory, the experience of struggle, and the aspiration for freedom. Within this context, the exhibition becomes a space of dialogue between the past and the present, where the trident functions as a tool for comprehending historical experience and simultaneously as a catalyst for the formation of new cultural meanings. Through artistic interpretations, the trident emerges as a dynamic element of cultural communication, reflecting shifts in social attitudes, the rooting of new meanings, and the formation of a renewed sense of national identity. The works presented in the project not only expand traditional notions of the state emblem but also highlight its relevance in the contemporary context, emphasizing the ability of the official symbol to transform into a marker of unity, resilience, and steadfastness. Thus, the analysis of the exhibition reveals how current artistic practices contribute to strengthening cultural memory and shaping new approaches to the visual interpretation of Ukrainian statehood under conditions of societal transformation.