One year since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Five artists traveled to Portugal and created art in protest. 9 years since the illegal occupation of Crimea and Donbas.
At a time when Ukraine is under full-scale attack by Russia, we experience the impact of the war on Ukrainian people and culture through the eyes of five distinguished Ukrainian Artists.
The exhibition, in different mediums, was created at the U.A. W.A.R. residency in February 2023 at Quinta das Relvas in Portugal to protest the Russian invasion. Through an open call, the five artists were selected from over 100 highly qualified candidates.
The group brings attention to the ongoing war and the atrocities committed by Russia and calls for action and change. By exploring themes of memory, trauma, and national identity, drawing on Ukraine's complex history of colonialism, war, and political upheaval, they remind us that the fight for the universal respect of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law must never be abandoned.
The Russian aggression towards Ukraine is not limited to military action; it extends to all levels of Ukrainian society, seeking to undermine the national identity and values of Ukrainians. By suppressing Ukrainian culture, russia aims to assert its dominance and influence over Ukraine.
In such a context, these artists use their art also to express the human condition of hope, the need for protection, memories from childhood, and the belief in divinity, creating a value that cannot be overstated.
With this, we stand with Ukraine and its rich cultural heritage and deep artistic traditions.
