The Luminous Legacy of Jules Olitski The story of Jules Olitski is one of profound transformation, a journey that began in the turbulent shadows of Soviet Ukraine and culminated in the radiant, weightless expanses of American abstraction. Born Jevel Demikovsky in 1922 within the Snizhne region, his early life was marked by the heavy hand of political upheaval. The execution of his father during the era of Stalinist repression left an indelible mark on the young artist, instilling a resilience that would later define his creative spirit. Emigrating to the United States as a child with his mot…