Adam Harber Kunstverein

Adam Kharlampovych (also known as Adam Harber — a name derived from his parents’ surnames, Kharlampovych and Berezovska, and chosen for its simplicity and ease of pronunciation internationally) is a businessman, philanthropist, and private collector. He established the Foundation to preserve his art collection and to support cultural initiatives in Ukraine and abroad. He is also the founder of LU Gallery, a network of art spaces dedicated to showcasing works from the collection and fostering a deeper discussion on contemporary art.

Adam Harber’s private collection was born out of a desire to preserve the artistic “imprint” of our time and the transformative events shaping our history. This vision became the catalyst for the creation of LU Gallery. As Adam notes, “In the future, this collection will become an invaluable part of cultural heritage, offering a vivid and living narrative of history that goes beyond archived newsfeeds.” This mission remains at the heart of all his cultural endeavors.

Over time, it became clear that the collection should not remain hidden but must be shared with wider audiences, both in Ukraine and internationally. Alongside this, Adam developed a strong commitment to supporting Ukrainian artists: “It was only after visiting artists’ studios, speaking with them, and building bonds with their families that I fully understood the difficulties they face, both financial and emotional. Today, more than ever, it is crucial to invest in Ukrainian culture. Through art, we are able to tell our story, express our contexts and challenges, and imagine our potential. That is incredibly important.”

The Adam Harber Foundation reflects this belief. Beyond holding a substantial collection of Ukrainian contemporary art, alongside works from international artists that highlight cross-cultural connections, the Foundation actively supports projects that strengthen the cultural landscape. Each piece in the collection has been acquired personally by Adam, who maintains close relationships with many of the artists. Works from the collection are regularly exhibited at LU Gallery, not for sale, but to give audiences access to art that would otherwise remain in private collections or storage.

In a short time, the Foundation has contributed to numerous projects, including: The Silvashi Circles – a retrospective of Tiberiy Silvashi (Ukrainian Museum of Contemporary Art / UMCA and Ukrainian House, Kyiv); Promprylad Art Center (Ivano-Frankivsk); Fragile City, a book on Julia Beliaeva’s practice, part of the OK Linz Center for Contemporary Art exhibition (published by Distanz, Berlin); and many others.