What Is Ukraine?

WHAT IS UKRAINE?

December 2, 2023 Knoxville Museum of Art

RESTORE UKRAINE was founded shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. RESTORE UKRAINE has since provided over - 650,000 lbs of food - Rebuilt 59 apartments - Built 2 bomb shelters - Shipped millions of winter clothes and medical supplies from the US Totalling over 2.7 million pounds of supplies to more than 50,000 Ukrainians since February 2022. - 198,000 lbs of personal hygiene products - 1.76 million lbs of construction materials

For more information visit restore-ukraine.org

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WHAT IS UKRAINE?

WHAT IS UKRAINE? Art Auction

The art shared with you represents the varied hopes and dreams of the Ukrainian artists who submitted their work to RESTORE UKRAINE, a nonprofit dedicated to the reconstruction of war-impacted lives. RESTORE UKRAINE hosted an art auction on December 2, 2023, in the Knoxville Museum of Art that was dedicated to showcasing the current condition of Ukrainian culture and art. The paintings in this catalog feature mixed-media paintings revolving around understanding the theme “What is UKRAINE?” and the personal testimonies of many Ukrainian and several regional American artists. Each piece pulls from perspectives that were scarred by the war and represents a significant story about the country’s heritage and hopes . “This is an opportunity for visitors from all around the world to experience the art of such a strong and brave country, ” Yaro Hnatusko, the founder of RESTORE UKRAINE, said. “This is a chance for the world to maintain the richness of the Ukrainian cultural heritage.” That’s why RESTORE UKRAINE has worked for months to rescue this art from the battleground - to exhibit and share the stories from the front lines right here in Knoxville,TN. “Our art tells a story that words never will, and the language barriers that Ukrainian people sometimes struggle with can make that expression even harder,” Hnatusko said. Thanks to the Knoxville Museum of Art, community members can see the impact of war laid bare on the paintings. To understand Ukrainian art is to understand the footprint of war on its people.

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Julia Bilous Ukrianian Woman MDF base, acrylic putty, acrylic paints

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WHAT IS UKRAINE?

DESCRIPTION I was inspired to create this painting by the traditions of my people. A woman in Ukraine has always combined the strengths of spirit and beauty. The fate of my country has always been difficult and much of Ukrainian history has remained unknown for many people. Now the traditions of previous generations have become interesting for contemporaries. This is what we are proud of and this is what our identity is. BIO My name is Yulia Bilous and I was born on January 13th, 1986 in the village of Blyzniuki, Kharkiv region, Ukraine. Now I live in Lozova, Kharkiv region, Ukraine. Since childhood, I have been interested in art. At the age of ten, I started studying at the local creative studio. Art and creativity has always been a part of my life but at the age of seventeen I did not have the courage to enroll in an art school and for a long time devoted my life to other areas. But the desire to create has always been in me. At the age of 28, I created my first three-dimensional work and finally returned to art. I continued to experiment and master different techniques. In 2020, I enrolled in the College of Arts. I graduated in 2023. Now, I create three dimensional paintings with ethnic motifs. Follow Yulia on Instagram @julia_bilous_art

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Ekaterina Velichko Ukrianian Heart MDF base, acrylic putty, acrylic paints

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WHAT IS UKRAINE?

DESCRIPTION The painting depicts a blue heart that beats to the rhythm of Ukrainian art. It represents every Ukrainian and symbolizes our national identity, the depth of our feelings and a strong connection with our native land. The sun burning inside expresses our strength, light and inspiration. It symbolizes our confidence in our abilities, our willpower to win and our ability to ignite others around us. The red poppies that surround the heart are symbols of the unbreakable strength and resilience of the Ukrainian people. The red color of the poppies reflects strength, prominence and readiness to face any challenge. They are a proud symbol of fortitude and the memory of the difficult historical events that Ukraine has gone through. This painting embodies our collective strength, self-confidence, and desire to be unbreakable. It evokes a sense of pride and admiration, reflecting the unquenchable desire of the Ukrainian people for freedom, peace, and prosperity. BIO I am a 3rd year student of the Kharkiv State Academy of Design. Since childhood, I have been drawing, graduated from art school and always dreamed of becoming an interior designer, and at the age of 17, my dream came true and I entered the place where I am able to dream and devote my life to creativity

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Gladchenko Margaryta Live and Prosper MDF base, acrylic putty, acrylic paints

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WHAT IS UKRAINE?

DESCRIPTION It is a powerful force that rages in each of us and guides our path. It is the same force that leads seeds through the rocky ground to the sun. It is the power that leads us through the struggle to freedom. It leads us to life and prosperity, which is the destiny of every flower, every cell of this Universe that has life. Follow Gladchenko on Instagram @glad.margo.art

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Zhdanova Elizabeth Light of the Nation MDF base, acrylic putty, acrylic paints

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WHAT IS UKRAINE?

DESCRIPTION I created the painting with my daughter Zlata. She is almost 3 years old. This painting is about my personal feelings. When the war started, I fled with my daughter to Poland. There was pain and no hope in my heart. Every day, our country was shelled and was being destroyed. Life stopped and all I could do was constantly read the news. It seemed like there was no hope, but suddenly there were reports that farmers were sowing crops in the fields despite the shelling and rockets. That’s when I realized that Ukrainians cannot be conquered and realized that there is hope! We are resilient - the new generation will build a completely new country. The new generation is the light - the future of our country. The painting depicts a stormy sky, everything is covered with traces of missiles. But despite this, the sun is shining in the sky and the ears of wheat are standing to attention. My daughter left her hand print on the sun as a symbol of Ukraine’s future Follow Zhdanova on Instagram @elizabeth_designua

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Zholud Oleksandr Ukrainian Still Life MDF base, acrylic putty, acrylic paints

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WHAT IS UKRAINE?

DESCRIPTION This paintings is a combination of national color palette and ornaments, which combine the colors of the land where our ancestors lived; these geometric lines and volume encourage us to honor ancient family and cultural values which, in turn, define the character of an unbreakable nation. “Ukrainian Still Life” is a symbol of the nation of Ukrainians and an identification with the great Ukraine that fought for freedom for centuries and finally gained its independence and identity. BIO I started my professional career in fine arts in 1989 at the age of fourteen. I chose pastel and black pen on paper as my technique. Then I experimented with tempera gouache, and aquatint and also worked in sculpture using wood, paper, and metal. After a year of studying in the art studio at the House of Culture (1990-1991), I took an introduction course at the Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute (1991-1992). In 1992, I decided to enroll full-time at the KhPI to study Interior Design. I started my exhibition activity soon in 1993. Be friends with Zholud (facebook.com/sasha.zholud.71)

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Olena Kolihman Swallows Over the Victorious Sky of Ukraine MDF base, acrylic putty, acrylic paints

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WHAT IS UKRAINE?

DESCRIPTION Swallow is a bird of God, created by God.

God blessed it because when Christ was crucified, swallows stole the nails. If a swallow builds a nest, it promises well-being for the family. A flock of swallows has always been considered a hopeful sign. I wanted to show the bright sun, the sky and the flight of swallows in the peaceful sky of Ukraine. I believe in the imminent victory of Ukrainians over the occupiers in this terrible war. The idea of depicting swallows in the sky is a symbol of freedom and the invincibility of the Ukrainian people! BIO My name is Olena Kolihman. I was born on the 12th of May, 1984 in Lviv. I graduated from the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv with a degree in finance. After working as an economist for some years, I realized that I like interior design much more. The COVID quarantine limitations and the war encouraged me to continue my art journey and I decided to start a new profession that I was extremely passionate about. So I started studying interior design - this is when I decided to paint for the first time in my life. During this military aggression, I want to show hope and faith in Ukraine’s victory and life under peaceful skies!

RESTORE UKRAINE

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Natalia Komleva Native MDF base, acrylic putty, acrylic paints

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WHAT IS UKRAINE?

DESCRIPTION Embroidery in Ukraine has always been considered a cultural ritual, where the symbols on the patterns hold a magical meaning. I used the symbol of Mother Earth in my work, creating a powerful protection of family and home. There are also floral motifs that give purity and prosperity to the Ukrainian family. BIO I am an artist whose creativity was born out of great love. It wasn’t until I turned 40 that I realized that I could no longer live without art. I went back to school and became a professional painter. I began to study art and painting turned into a life profession. Over the seven years of my creative career and studying different materials and techniques, I have developed my favorite modalities. My greatest love is oil pastels, watercolor, and sketching. I’ve only embarked on my journey as an artist recently but it is already filled with joyful events. I have taken part in exhibitions and have some wonderful customers. It is my second career and I love it, planning to develop it further.

Follow Natalia on Instagram @p_tash_ka

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Kryvobok Nataliia Through the Soul - Into the Heart MDF base, acrylic putty, acrylic paints

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WHAT IS UKRAINE?

DESCRIPTION A person who derives pleasure and drive from art has fire in his heart and willpower in his thoughts. Ukrainian art is about the will. It’s about freedom loving fire, fierce energy! Ukrainian art is a spiritual ecstasy that permeates every cell of the body. The moment of ecstasy from art is reflected in the painting.The source of light is golden rays that burst out and embody the culmination of the Ukrainian art composition.The wings, spread out and full of strength to make a flap, are the embodiment of the strength and vigor that music gives. BIO I was born in Kharkiv in 2004. Since childhood, I grew up in love with my city. In 2011, I enrolled in Kharkiv Gymnasium, from which I graduated with the highest honors. At the same time, I was studying at the School of Art and Design, which in just two years was able to give me the necessary art skills and knowledge, and helped me understand myself and my creativity. Studying painting, drawing and composition, creativity and modern aspects contributed to my main dream of enrolling at the Kharkiv State Academy of Fine Arts. The preparation went on as usual, but the war destroyed my plans and dreams. However, for a while, despite the difficult conditions of admissions and feelings of depression, I was able to fulfill my dream of studying graphic design. I have now completed my first year and feel more confident in my academia than ever. Even though I studied online because of the war, I still managed to enjoy the process. I have many dreams of a happy creative future. The main component that features in my dreams is my native city Kharkiv. It’s reinforced, strong and brave. I want to continue to work for the benefit of my hometown and country, develop its cultural front, and turn my homeland into a leading country in the world. We will survive. Victory is coming soon. Glory to Ukraine! Follow Kryvobok on Instagram @destannatart

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Kateryna Lavska Fate MDF base, acrylic putty, acrylic paints

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WHAT IS UKRAINE?

DESCRIPTION “… you can choose anything at all, my son, But of Fatherlands for you, there’s only one.” - V. Symonenko (Ukrainian poet, journalist, and activist). Where are you from? Even if you don’t know it, your blood and roots are whispering to you. As you listen, you begin to hear folk songs that sound through the ages telling their own stories. What are my people like? Invincible! There is so much injustice and grief in their fate and yet they sing songs of hope, love, and belief! As long as you breathe, you carry a spark of goodness from heart to heart, igniting new souls to shine on the horizon of life. This encourages you to believe in the future in times of darkness. The light will definitely conquer all, even during the darkest night! BIO I research issues of ecological attitude towards life and art. My passion for collage began with the desire to rethink and reuse what some people may call garbage. Now collage is my true love and profession. I can always tell in detail where a piece of paper came from. When I create collages, I feel like Indiana Jones on a treasure hunt - it’s always an adventure with an unexpected outcome. To find that perfect hand, foot or eye, I need to look through many pages of books and magazines! I live in the city of Izmail, Odessa region. I work with children and adults - I teach them not just to draw and make collages but how to have a creative approach to life. This is especially important now, during the war, when we need joyful moments and rays of light Follow Kateryna on Instagram @kate_lavska

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Mukhina Vitalina Girl in the Field MDF base, acrylic putty, acrylic paints

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WHAT IS UKRAINE?

DESCRIPTION The painting describes the wealth of Ukraine in many areas. The colors were not chosen by chance: red is love and freedom and black is sadness. They came about through our history, through the trespass of invaders… The central figure, a girl with long hair and a wreath of ribbons, symbolizes the beauty and wealth of Ukraine and its hard working people. The stitches represent rivers, mountains and seas. The flowers in her hair and the ears of grain represent the fertile and beautiful Ukrainian land. You can also see that the girl’s hair resembles a music record - a symbol of the melodic language and Ukrainian songs enriching our culture. The background of the painting - a pattern on an embroidered shirt - indicates the ethnicity and uniqueness of Ukrainian culture. Follow Mukhina on Instagram @vitalinka_art

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Mukhina Vitalina Living Water MDF base, acrylic putty, acrylic paints

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WHAT IS UKRAINE?

DESCRIPTION A bright and voluminous accent of the painting is the red element, which symbolizes the life of Ukrainians: as a stormy stream of a mountain river, as a strong and unbreakable spirit of the Ukrainian people, as the beauty and majestic Ukrainian mountains, as a fabric in traditional Ukrainian clothes... Red is the color of life, love and freedom. Black and gray enhance the brightness and significance of red. The ornaments in the background complement the image. Follow Mukhina on Instagram @vitalinka_art

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Katerina Naumova My Ukraine MDF base, acrylic putty, acrylic paints

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WHAT IS UKRAINE?

DESCRIPTION This painting is about love first and foremost. It’s about the love of a person for his homeland. This painting is about feelings - the feelings of each of us towards our sweet home. This painting is about peace and a sense of pride for our people. It’s about feeling calm when you stand on your land. This painting is about life. It’s about the lives of those who have the courage, love, and strength to risk their own lives for the sake of Ukraine. t’s also about those people who gave their lives for the future of Ukraine BIO I was born on 24.06.1993 in Odessa. Drawing has been a hobby of mine since childhood. I dreamed of becoming an artist but something went wrong and I became a gym coach instead. Now painting is a way for me to reflect and restore my life energy. I like to convey my mood through my paintings and let people see something of their own in my work. What do you see in my painting?

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Yesypenko Karine Tree of Life MDF base, acrylic putty, acrylic paints

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WHAT IS UKRAINE?

DESCRIPTION In the middle of the 17th century, Ukrainian immigrants who settled on the site of an ancient Slavic settlement, destroyed in the 13th century by the Mongol-Tatar invasion, built the fortress city of Kharkiv. In 2022 Kharkiv showed its solid character as a stable fortress during the Russian invasion, and as an impregnable rock, it turned out that the city was solidly built from individual bricks - the people of Kharkiv. The strength of the Ukrainian people, which was hidden like a brick under the plaster, manifested itself, sprouted, and stood like a real Tree of Life. From the Ukrainian ideology, the word rock makes Kharkiv a strong fortress because of its history, art, and cultural code of its ancestors. In this way, the author symbolically combined the valuable achievements of the cultural heritage that we received from past and present generations. Be friends with Yesypenko (facebook.com/ profile.php?id=100007884882535)

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Yuliya Odukalets DNA of the Nation MDF base, acrylic putty, acrylic paints

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WHAT IS UKRAINE?

DESCRIPTION Modern reality is under the influence of traditions that form a powerful force. This force is a breathing organism that lives, develops, adapts, and creates a symbiosis between heritage, culture, and beliefs. A clear tool for the embodiment of identity is the Ukrainian language - the DNA of a nation. Follow Yuliya on Instagram @yuliya_odukalets_art

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Anastasiia Pavlovska Home MDF base, acrylic putty, acrylic paints

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WHAT IS UKRAINE?

DESCRIPTION The goal here is to show the audience the importance of a Ukrainian family and its values, namely comfort, protection, and grace. The hands that hold and protect the family depict the hope for its future. The main focus of the composition is the frame, which shows the window of the house. Within it the story of the composition is built. The female image is a symbol of comfort, well-being, wisdom, peace, and balance; but at the same time, it shows anxiety and concern for her family. The male image is a symbol of strength, protection, stability, and reliability. The image of the man is made in such a way to show who is in charge of the family. The storks represent the future generation and symbolize goodness and joy, purity, freedom, and strength. There are three storks in the nest - they are the embodiment of the past, present, and future and a sign of trinity. BIO My name is Anastasiia Pavlovska. I was born in 1997 in Sumy. I continue my mother’s work as an artist as she didn’t get enough time to become famous. In my work, I use different techniques and experiment with various materials. It helps me convey the mood when I paint still life, landscapes, abstracts, sketches, and portraits. I like people. Ever since I was little, I was surrounded by different personalities. I got my passion for painting people from my mother. In 2013, to find my own style, I commenced my studies at the Sumy Art School, where I was able to master modeling, drawing, and painting techniques. They made a great impression on me and influenced my work. In 2022, I continued my studies at the Kharkiv Academy of Design and Arts, where I am currently studying.

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Poltavtseva Svitlana Pavlovna Boundless Fields of Life MDF base, acrylic putty, acrylic paints

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WHAT IS UKRAINE?

DESCRIPTION The fields of my country - are endless. They are all different. When viewed from a height, the fields appear as parts of a large canvas, each of which is unique and has its own color. Similarly, human life is made up of different moments: happy and sad, joyful and anxious - and each moment has its own color. A person chooses his or her own color to paint a field. Today - it’s bright green to show the joy of life, tomorrow - it’s brown or gray because you’ve had a setback. We need to remember that everything is in our hands: we can change the colors, experiment, and add colors we’ve never used before; because if we don’t, the whole picture of life will be one gray mass. Life - is a field that stretches for thousands of kilometers, stretching far, far away with no end in sight. Each person is an artist who paints a picture of his or her boundless field, and it is up to them to determine the brightness and tone, to decide whether their field will be decorated - with a bountiful harvest or a drought.

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Anastasiia Ponomarova 212.02.2022 MDF base, acrylic putty, acrylic paints

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WHAT IS UKRAINE?

DESCRIPTION The work was created as part of the idea of revealing Ukrainian culture through the prism of modernity. To present Ukraine to the world. The idea of the work itself evolved and changed throughout the process. Because of the emotions, it was difficult to work on it and form the final idea. But I decided to use a combination of traditional symbolic Ukrainian ornaments with elements of contemporary folk art - street art - as a basis. The final concept of the work was formed at the stage of painting the landscape in the window. While painting it, I remembered the warm days of August, the days when for the first time in a long time Kharkiv residents felt relief and peace. For everyone, the period of difficult spring 2022 merged into one terrible long day that seemed to go on forever. Since the end of the summer 2022, life seemed to have shifted from its original point - the endless loop that had been stretching since February began to break... That’s why the work is called 212.02.2022 - symbolizing the end of the month of February, which for many Ukrainians felt like it lasted 212 days. The calm landscape in the center is a small window of hope that leads towards a peaceful future. The work also symbolically uses shards of glass from the windows of the school teacher’s apartment, a person very dear to me, blown out by a blast wave during one of the massive attacks. BIO My name is Anastasiia Ponomarova, I am 21 years old and was born in Kharkiv, Ukraine. I grew up and studied in Kharkiv and hardly have been to any other city in Ukraine, considering Kharkiv my small but only home. The only exceptions were trips to Crimea: to visit my family, or rather my mother’s twin sister, her daughter, and other relatives. I spent nearly half of my life there . After the war started in 2014, no one knew what to expect and what catastrophic consequences would follow... Every year it became harder and harder to visit our relatives since we usually didn’t have enough money. I nearly didn’t make it back last time because the war in Ukraine was escalating. Interestingly, the most frightening thing I heard throughout the war was not the explosions, but my mother talking, “Will I live to see my sister again?” Since the beginning of the hostilities, I remember every call from our loved ones. They kept in touch with us every day, worried and praying for us... Sometimes it seemed to me that they were scared more than we were. We were all scared because our family was in danger and we could do nothing but call and write. As a family, we try not to lose hope and believe that soon we will be able to get together again as a big family. That’s all we need...Our faith is the only thing that cannot be taken away from us by force… Follow Anastasiia on Instagram @haise_x2 37 RESTORE UKRAINE

Nadiia Prystupa Free MDF base, acrylic putty, acrylic paints

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WHAT IS UKRAINE?

DESCRIPTION The painting symbolizes a free Ukraine. The wings of birds are like the strength of spirit, sincerity, and courage. There is a Ukrainian towel in the middle of the picture, like a colorful field, rich in embroidery colors. mbroidery is shown as an abstract, symbolizing Ukraine, where every person is a thread stitched into the cover of embroidery. We all make a mosaic with our lives, with openness, devotion and thirst to live! BIO Nadiia Prystupa was born in 1978. She’s a decorator - a master of decorative plaster and artistic bas-relief with over 10 years of experience. Nadiia is a volunteer at the Kharkiv animal rescue shelter. Since the beginning of the war, she has been working on the evacuation of animals from Kharkiv to different cities of Ukraine and Europe. Follow Nadiia on Instagram @decorativka_interior

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Liliya Savelieva Independent Colors MDF base, acrylic putty, acrylic paints

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WHAT IS UKRAINE?

DESCRIPTION The painting uses the Petrykivka style of painting, which originated in Ukraine in the village of Petrykivka in the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century. The origin of the Petrykivka painting is associated with the Cossacks and the settlement of the Dnipro region. This folk art preserves the customs of decorating Ukrainian homes. On 5 December 2013, Petrykivka painting was added to the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In these difficult times for our country, it is important to nurture the Ukrainian identity as it will unite Ukrainians with the national color scheme of an independent country.

BIO I was very little at the time. It was during a spring excursion at the school, Looked like old hands - It was Petrykivka style - had so much story to share. When I returned home, I went beyond the thresholds, With a painting of Petrykivka flowers held in my hand, I realized that there was nothing better.

I returned from Poland a year ago, To my wartime home in Kharkiv. I believe that every person will burn That burned the lives of all of us.

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Samoilovich Anna Kyiv Code MDF base, acrylic putty, acrylic paints

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WHAT IS UKRAINE?

DESCRIPTION This work is minimalistic because it combines geometric shapes with a palette of three colors: white, accent, and auxiliary (non-accent). Chestnut on the top right corner has long been considered a green symbol of Kyiv. In spring, you can admire white and pink candles for an infinitely long time, and in fall, with great pleasure, you can collect shiny, as if lacquered, fruits. Embroidered shirt, called Vyshyvanka, was made of cotton, linen, or hemp fabrics. For many centuries, Vyshyvanka served as a talisman against evil for all Ukrainian people. Ukrainians believe that Vyshyvanka is endowed with great power and can work miracles - exactly what we need now. People claim that they always encode their happiness, and willpower in the national dress, as it is often said in ritual folk songs. For many centuries, Vyshyvanka carries spiritual wealth, wisdom and a traditional connection of many Ukrainian generations. Follow Samoilovich on Instagram @samantha_ua

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Maryna Slobodianyk Bride from Ukraine MDF base, acrylic putty, acrylic paints

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WHAT IS UKRAINE?

DESCRIPTION I tried to create an artistic image of a bride who would amaze with her beauty, because Ukrainian women are incredibly beautiful and Ukrainian traditional clothes emphasize this beauty. A wreath is a traditional Ukrainian headdress. The custom of weaving wreaths for decoration dates back to prehistoric times. They had a sacred meaning - as an attribute of the spring cycle rituals and games. Gradually, the wreath grew into a symbol of adoration - a symbol of Ukrainian Mother Earth. The Ukrainian wreath has long been a cultural symbol of the people and has been growing in popularity in modern Ukraine since 2014. Follow Maryna on Instagram @maryna__slobodianyk

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Ulia Ustymenko Hot MDF base, acrylic putty, acrylic paints

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WHAT IS UKRAINE?

DESCRIPTION The painting I called Hot is inspired by the impression of the agriculture field in Ukraine during the hot season. The diversity of wildflowers behind the sun-burnt wheat will make a lasting impression. Follow Ulia on Instagram @ustymenkoyuliia.art_yu

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Shumeiko Olena The Rise of the Bird MDF base, acrylic putty, acrylic paints

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WHAT IS UKRAINE?

DESCRIPTION The rise of a bird symbolizes the revival of Ukraine and the desire for peace and freedom.

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Natalia Stadler Romantic Story MDF base, acrylic putty, acrylic paints

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WHAT IS UKRAINE?

DESCRIPTION This painting was made during one of the best times of my life when everything was in harmony, and nothing was impossible! Because of the war in my homeland, I no longer have the motivation or inspiration to create - my inner peace has vanished. My romantic narrative came to an end when the war forever separated me from my husband... Now I work as a volunteer helping my country. BIO My name is Natalia; I work as an artist. I’ve always wanted to sketch and create something, but I’ve always been too shy and afraid. I was hesitant to start something new. My world was not special. However, I had a beautiful moment that brought a number of changes to my life. As a result, I started to make my world better. As an artist, my work started to alter in response to my mood. Follow Natalia on Instagram @natalyashtadler

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Andrii Pavlovskyi Evening time MDF base, acrylic putty, acrylic paints

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WHAT IS UKRAINE?

DESCRIPTION Landscape has always been a tool for me to express my feelings and mood. So in this work, I convey the atmosphere, contemplative elements, reflection, and the culture of the past in the interpretation of the present. The painting aims to convey a traditional Ukrainian landscape made in a modern style. The cubist stylization and simplification of forms convey the summer evening mood, colors and space to the maximum. The dynamic composition of the painting emphasizes the melodic character of Ukraine and its people: gentle and light, like the sky, and bright, expressive, like the land on which we live. The painting depicts an evening in a traditional Ukrainian village in the summer. The work uses the richer color palette of the original terrain to hyperbolise and create contrast to emphasize details and show space. BIO My name is Andrii Pavlovskyi and I was born in 1999 in the Chernihiv region. I am an industrial designer and artist by trade. In addition to working as a designer, I paint, focusing on traditional and digital modalities, creating compositions in the cubist style. I aim to convey the dynamics, space and mood at the time of its creation.

Follow Andrii on Instagram @_pavlovskyi.prod

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Jason Flack Bringers of Death (Bliss on Tape) Acrylic on Canvas Panel

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WHAT IS UKRAINE?

DESCRIPTION I painted this after watching the news one night sometime after the Russo Ukranian War started. It was unsettling, to say the least, to watch the images of war followed by drug ads, car commercials, and other joyful promotions. It’s puzzling to see despair and joy flashed within seconds of each other. It is painful to imagine that there are joyous opportunists waiting to watch buildings burn. There are two black figures (death dealers) bringing death into a city while missiles drop down from above.” BIO Jason Flack is an “Urban Folk” expressionist, pop artist, community leader, speaker, and a native of Johnson City, Tennessee. His work has been heavily influenced by personal life experiences as well as many cartoons, comic books, and music. He has been drawing for over 30 years and painting for over 10. Jason has entrenched himself in an all-things-art lifestyle, being a part of local art advocacy and bridging the gap between self-taught and academia. He was called to start painting after the sudden death of his twin sister, Jessica, in 2010. His work elicits energy by using bright colors surrounded by bold black lines. Since the beginning, he has used painting as therapy to direct grief into movement and thoughtfulness and to hold a mirror up to society.

Follow Jason on Instagram @artbyjasonflack

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Leslie Campbell Mass Flight Mixed Media

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WHAT IS UKRAINE?

DESCRIPTION Since the onset of the war in Ukraine, I have witnessed on several media outlets, 8 million Ukrainians left their homeland. About 90% of these refugees are women and children. What struck me most was the stoic looks on the women’s faces. The bravery among the groups was inspiring. I watched them rally around each other to protect their children. Younger women helped older women. Healthy women cared for sick women and children. Strong and capable women cooked and fed the hungry around them. They left in droves, holding their composure with little belongings from home. It was indeed a “mass-flight.” Just as delicate and vulnerable birds migrate to warmer weather every season, Ukrainian women flew to new lands far from home, far from their nest. The nest & egg symbolize the fragility of both Ukraine and its women and children. I wanted to create a sense of hope with this painting. Songbirds build many nests over their lifetime and use what is available to create a safe place for their young. My hope is that we can continue here in the United States, to support and provide resources for those displaced from their homeland of Ukraine, and those women and children abroad. New nests are being built all around the world by them, but they carry the love of their families and culture in their heart. May they continue building and find hope in their new homes. One day, they may even find their way back home under peaceful and stable conditions, just as migratory birds find their way back even after traveling thousands of miles. BIO My name is Leslie Campbell and I am a mixed media and assemblage artist, inspired by my travels here in the United States and overseas. I see my work evolving into more spiritual and ethereal themes. Now that I am living in the mountains of Tennessee, it has given me a new perspective on nature. These hills remind me that I AM nature. My intent is to help people remember that nature heals and that nurturing it will create better connections with ourselves, with other people and the “more-than-human world.” I love using nature as my muse and I want to help others bring nature into their homes with my paintings and sculptures. Follow Leslie on Instagram @ravenworks_studio

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RESTORE UKRAINE

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Mission Restore Ukraine ’s mission is t o create a secure and heatlhy future for Ukrainian families with t he help of a range of humantiarian, construction, housing, and medical assistance projects Vision Restore Ukraine ’s vision is to restore dozens of cities and hundreds of communities for the displaced Ukrainian families.

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