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Ukraine War Art

This exhibition is about the war in Ukraine. It features work by Ukrainian artists currently living in a war zone, seeing the effects of bombs falling, lives torn apart and homes destroyed. The huge variation in styles reflects the many different experiences of and responses to the conflict. Some show the daily lives of people and the remains of their bombed-out homes, others carry defiant and proud messages; a rallying cry in the face of overwhelming force. Others again just reveal the raw emotions of individuals trying to come to terms with the loss of everything but determined to fight with whatever comes to hand.

A lot of the work is vibrantly colourful like a brilliant and beautiful light in the darkness.  The urge to express ourselves artistically and to document what happens to us creatively cannot be suppressed and nothing shows that more than this exhibition.

Most war art is officially commissioned and filtered through the political lens of governments or the military. This is by people on the ground reacting to what is happening to them as it is happening. It is an historical document and an insight into the real lives of people who want the world to know what is happening.  Perhaps most of all it is a testimony to the human spirit which is the same here as in Ukraine. If you want to know what we would feel like, how we would react if we were invaded, this art will show you.

This exhibition is part of a broad effort to showcase Ukrainian war art. Rose Davies and Melvyn Williams were approached by a group including the Learning For Wellbeing Foundation , ACT2gether to see if we could help to show what is happening on the ground in the Ukraine and showcase the brilliant work that has emerged as a result.

Melvyn has put together this exhibition based on a small selection of the vast amount of work currently being produced.

Ukraine War Art
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Alona Shostko: Hand
Alona Shostko: Hand
People from different professions have joined the Ukrainian army as volunteers, and they dream of returning to a peaceful life as soon as possible. But this is impossible when you need to protect your homeland and your loved ones from the invasion of Russian troops, which bring with them death and ruins.
Alona Shostko: Meeting
Alona Shostko: Meeting
Citizens of different countries support democracy, freedom and condemn Russian aggression towards Ukraine worldwide. Peaceful protest is also a weapon of Ukrainians in the cities, which are temporarily occupied by Russia, where fearless demonstrators are not afraid to declare their position.
Anna Andreieva: Peace
Anna Andreieva: Peace
One of the options for interpreting the national coat of arms of Ukraine is the stylization of the falcon bird. The falcon symbolizes the will of Ukrainians and their desire for freedom and independence.
Anna Andreieva: Putin
Anna Andreieva: Putin
The Russian president's desire to establish himself as an autocrat with a neo-Nazi ideology brings death and destruction. He can go down in history only as a bloodthirsty fanatical tyrant whose name future generations will be ashamed of.
Anna Ivanenko: Tank Ivanenko
Anna Ivanenko: Tank Ivanenko
With the “salvation” of Ukrainians, russian propaganda justifies the annihilation of civil people and the destruction of Ukrainian cities. Who they are saving us from? From Democracy and freedom?
Anna Ivanenko: Ukraine nagaina
Anna Ivanenko: Ukraine nagaina
Neville Longbottom, a hero who seemed funny and weak to everyone, kills Voldemort's snake, which contains a piece of the Enemy's soul. He came a long way from a naive, weak dweeb to a war hero, a leader of the resistance. Now, every Ukrainian is Neville Longbottom.
Anna Sarvira: Friendship
Anna Sarvira: Friendship
Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale aggression in Ukraine, there have been frequent calls worldwide to understand Russians and seek ways for a dialogue. But the truth is that as long as the world seeks such ways, the Russian army will continue to kill the civilian Ukrainian population. If we do not stop the Russian aggression now, they will come to "make peace" in other countries tomorrow.
Anna Sarvira: Peace
Anna Sarvira: Peace
In the darkest times, kindness and dreams of a peaceful future, where Ukraine will recover like a phoenix, are seen the most clearly.
Anton Abo: Death
Anton Abo: Death
After war always comes peace and prosperity. What are the invaders fighting for and dying for? They will no longer be able to tell anyone, and memory about them will soon be gone.
Anton Abo: Putler
Anton Abo: Putler
Russia's aggressive policy towards Ukraine is nothing new in history. If you look at all those actions, it becomes clear that everything is done according to the methods of the Nazis and dictators of the twentieth century.
Daria Filipova 24 02
Daria Filipova 24 02
February 24, 2022, is a terrible date for all Ukrainians. When asked, everyone would describe this date in the same way as the illustrator portrayed it in this picture. Today, Ukrainians are united in their grief. They will also be united while rebuilding their country after the war.
Daria Filipova: Window
Daria Filipova: Window
During the Russian army's attack on Ukrainian towns and villages, civilians who remained in their homes witnessed terrible destruction and grief. From their windows, they see fire and destruction instead of peaceful life and blossoming spring.
Grasya Oliyko: Home
Grasya Oliyko: Home
During the war, everyone's sense of responsibility for the safety of their loved one's increases. "Ukraine is our home" are words that are in the heart of every Ukrainian. We are ready to defend our home and rebuild it after the war.
Grasya Oliyko: Kid
Grasya Oliyko: Kid
The biggest crimes of the war are the executions of civilians and children. Russian invaders are shelling areas where women and children hide, killing and permanently mutilating their lives.
Illia Uhnivenko: Devastation
Illia Uhnivenko: Devastation
Due to Russian aggression, many Ukrainians have lost their homes and everything they have built-in their lives. Now they find themselves amid a wasteland, both physical and moral.
Illia Uhnivenko: New Сhildhood
Illia Uhnivenko: New Сhildhood
For Ukrainian children, childhood has now changed. The peaceful landscapes on which they used to grow up have been replaced by scenes of battlefields and the ruins of their hometowns. We hope that in the future, these injuries will still allow children to return to normal life and be happy from everyday peaceful life, learning and games.
Kostya Martsenkivskyi: Kharkiv
Kostya Martsenkivskyi: Kharkiv
One of the first cities to stand in the way of the Russian army is Kharkiv, a historic Ukrainian city that did not surrender to the enemy. Russian occupiers launched missile and bomb attacks on the city and civilians to break the resistance. The city has suffered devastation it has not seen since World War II.
Mari Kinovych: Kharkiv
Mari Kinovych: Kharkiv
This is a story about a woman who managed to evacuate from Kharkiv. She is originally from Kazakhstan, but she married a Ukrainian, and her home was in Kharkiv. Ukraine is home to many nationalities, and this war is a common disaster for all.
Mari Kinovych: Refugee
Mari Kinovych: Refugee
After Russia attacked Ukraine, hundreds of thousands of civilians were forced to flee their homes and run away from the bombing. Everyone tries to take what is most valuable to them and not leave them in trouble, neither friends nor pets.
Masha Foya: Stand with Ukraine 3
Masha Foya: Stand with Ukraine 3
During Russia's attack on Ukraine, and the bombing of peaceful cities and towns, Ukrainian illustrators create information posters to report about events in Ukraine around the world and call for support for our country.
Masha Foya: Stand with Ukraine 4
Masha Foya: Stand with Ukraine 4
Day after day, Russia is shelling Ukrainian cities, destroying the work results of many generations of people. But all evil comes to an end. With the support of the entire democratic world, Ukrainians will be able to overcome Russian aggression and rebuild their homes faster.
Natalia Shulga: Stop War
Natalia Shulga: Stop War
Before the full-scale war, no one could have imagined that Ukrainians could withstand the Russian military machine. But Ukraine's resilience is extraordinary because we are defending our freedom.
Natalia Shulga: U is for Ukraine
Natalia Shulga: U is for Ukraine
Two worlds have clashed in Ukraine: democracy and freedom and aggressive, savage tyranny. However, whether a peaceful and independent Ukraine in Europe will survive depends on the support of the world community.
Oksana Drachkovska: Peace
Oksana Drachkovska: Peace
Ukraine is a peaceful country that has never had any aggressive sentiments. Now, Ukraine suffers from Russian military aggression, although it has always dreamed of peace.
Oksana Drachkovska: Russian Army Is Child Killer
Oksana Drachkovska: Russian Army Is Child Killer
One of the most serious crimes of the Russian army is rocket strikes on civilians, including children.