Art has been a target of invaders throughout wars—it is the thing that represents a nation’s culture and identity. After the Second World War, several pieces by great artists like Gustav Klimt and Vincent van Gogh were stolen, lost, and scattered around the world.
The country of Ukraine is being invaded by Russia at the moment, this war is killing people, destroying architecture, and putting Ukrainian art in danger. A whole museum is already burnt to the ground and treasured Ukrainian culture is being destroyed. However, local artists and curators are courageously protesting to protect their country and their precious art from such violent works.
So, How is The Art World Reacting to The Russian Invasion of Ukraine?
If the governors of the country are invaders, the citizens and artists are not necessarily of the like. The curator of the Russian pavilion at La Biennale di Venezia, Raimundas Malašauskas, steps down from this year’s exhibition, alongside artists Alexandra Sukhareva and Kirill Savchenkov. Such a move will not stop the war, however, it is a protesting statement against their own country.
Opposing to such freedom of decision for the Russian artist, Ukrainian artists and creative events are hindered by the war. More than 400,000 Ukrainians have been forced to flee their homes, racing to the border. While male Ukrainians between the ages of 18 and 60 are also barred from leaving the country—staying to defend their homeland, independence, and culture.
The Russians, on the other hand, aren’t making it easy for themselves: while their way to Kyiv, their army assaulted Ukraine from all sides, destroying everything in their path. The Ivankiv Historical and Local History Museum, in its eponymous city northwest of the capital, is one of the many architectural victims. The museum, which housed 25 pieces by 20th-century folk artist Maria Prymachenko, was burned to the ground by Russian soldiers. Maria Prymachenko is a household name in Ukraine, despite the fact that her work isn’t as well-known globally as some of her more well-known peers.
This was about Ukrainian and Russian art—from around the world, several artists are supporting Ukrainians through their emotional illustrations on Instagram and other different platforms.
Courtesy of @shamsiahassani
Courtesy of @mirdinara
Courtesy of @oliverjeffers
Courtesy of @gitkadraws
Wars do affect art and architecture, but countries have risen and will keep rising from such cultural catastrophes with yet more creative and innovative solutions; this is how artists survive.