Warfare is an event no one intends to be a partaker of during his/her existence on earth. But if it happens that war breaks out as it is in the ongoing armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine- the images and videos taken by journalists from the combat can be too direct, triggering for almost everyone who sees it.
Art and the artist are then turned to because the artist’s representations most times are balanced. In this article are 11 pieces of art added that are revealing, bold, candid, and interesting.
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The beauty of these artworks is in the stories they tell and the commendable responsiveness of art to perform its social function through willing artists in crucial discourses and moments in a world like this.
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The artwork of Zhenya Gershman has become one of the widespread and popular artworks detailing the current war in Ukraine that started on the 24th of February 2022. Her portrait titled First Face of War is the artistic representation of “ a Ukrainian teacher from Chuhuiv, Kharkiv region, who was injured by Russia’s shelling on February 24, the first day of full-scale war”, according to a social media caption from the official Instagram handle of Ukraine @ukraine.ua posted April 1st, 2022.
The fact that the portrait has circulated rapidly and widely on the internet has inspired other works of art in various mediums including illustration, street stencils, collages, murals, and graffiti amongst others. Artists all over the world are visually documenting the action on walls, on canvas, on social media, and on the internet for generations to come.
They are pieces of evidence that there is something everyone can do towards the ills that exist in this current world if everyone is willing to act constructively. For instance, as stated in the description of the interview video Zhenya posted on her Youtube channel– “100% of proceeds from the sale of Zhenya Gershman’s painting based on Wolfgang Schwan’s internationally circulated photo (courtesy Wolfgang Schwan/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) will benefit Ukrainian Red Cross Society.”
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Artists have also taken up the act of philanthropism to offer relief to the people of Ukraine and financial aid to non-governmental and nonprofit organizations by selling their works of art.
Photographers and performance artists as well are using their creative power to affect the ongoing Russian invasion. Photographers are making prints available for sale through charity events and limited edition prints. Maria Abrahamovic is also expected to hold a performance that would gather funds for humanitarian services in Ukraine.
Away from visual artists, Art stakeholders are also doing their bit. Auction houses such as Bonhams, Christie’s, and Sotheby’s have canceled their Russian art auctions.
But has put together fundraisers to assist individuals affected by the war. Russia Pavillion and Russian artists will not be displaying artworks in the forthcoming Venice Biennale.
Clearly, the efforts by selected artists and art stakeholder using his/her medium to archive the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine prove that there is so much positivity that can be made happen in the world if we all do what we can rather than exist in silence. Artists have become reporters recording the war the world wants to see the end of.
It is in a time like this that the power of art beyond being a source of investment can be experienced. After a careful evaluation of several artworks shared on the internet, these 11 artworks have been selected for their emotional power, clear content, and genuineness.
However, when war happens in one part of the earth it can not just be the business of that said country. In the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Art has again played a crucial role in providing perspectives. Artists continue using their artworks to oppose war and promote peace.