Art by Ukrainian Children at Chasen Gallery II

"Mom - Border Guard" by Arina from Odesa (age 11)

My curiosity was piqued the moment I read about a local exhibit of art made by Ukrainian children. What would kids create at a time when their world is literally being bombed out of existence? And how did this exhibit come into being? 

When you walk into the gallery, it’s as if you are entering a classroom. Names of some of the Ukrainian cities most severely impacted by the war are projected onto the floor. Rows of desks with charred books atop them are in the center of the room. The students’ artwork has been posted on blackboards as if it were a regular night at a school when proud parents would meet with teachers and admire their children’s work. New vocabulary words are written on another blackboard. Among them: tourniquet, cluster bombs, civilian targets and sirens. And then there is a barricade made of desks on which excerpts from social media posts have been placed. The effect is both poignant and powerful. 

Barricade made of desks by Wotjek Sawa

Not surprisingly, the excerpts from Facebook and other social media posts are heart wrenching. One reads: "I go out on the street during breaks between bombings. I need to walk the dog. She is constantly sneezing, shaking and hiding behind my legs... My dog is starting to howl, and I understand they are going to shell us again...Being alive is whispering in basements... I can't believe we once had a different kind of life." Another was written by members of the Orchestra of Holiday Help, a small group of Polish volunteers who drive into Ukraine with cars packed full of supplies. It reads, in part: "We returned from Ukraine 3 days ago. We took two full cars and a Jeep SUV. We gave the SUV together with its contents to soldiers at the front...We moved on dirt roads through forests and fields. After hiding in basements for several weeks, people are in need of just about everything. We gave the supplies...to a local priest who distributed them to the most in need. However the bulletproof vests and the jackets we gave to army units stationed there."  And of course there were remembrances of those lost. One woman wrote: "My beloved husband, my hero, the father of my children...died protecting us in Karkiv, Ukraine. Honey, I want to thank you for the time we had together, for everything you did for us! May you rest in peace."

"The Unbreakables" by Veronica
from Khmelnytskyi (age 5)

The exhibit was facilitated by Artem and Nastia Bykovet, founders of UA Kids Today. The Bykovets, together with six year old Sofia and two year old Sasha, were forced to flee their home and go to Poland. Each girl was allowed to take only three of her favorite toys. While driving, the Bykovets tried to explain to Sofia what was happening. During the conversation, she picked up a crayon and began drawing on a napkin. They realized that creating art distracted her and made her feel less anxious. Out of this realization came UA Kids Today, an online gallery of art made by Ukrainian children during this traumatic time. Credit for the artwork also goes to a local teacher at a school in Gdansk, Poland and an art therapist working at a Ukrainian Foster Home that has been relocated to Minsk. To view the UA Kids Today online gallery, click here.

Local artist Wotjek Sawa is responsible for bringing the children's artwork to Chasen Gallery II. A visual artist who specializes in performance and installation art, Sawa also created the four installation pieces on display. 

"We Want Peace" by Alexander from Odesa (age 12)

Sawa was born in Poland and emigrated to the United States as a child. His previous work includes a participatory exhibit at the Florida Holocaust Museum entitled "The Wall Speaks: Voices of the Unheard." That installation paid homage to Polish youth of World War II who were made to feel they were "less than human" by Nazi policies and propaganda. It's hard to ignore the parallels to today as Russia intentionally targets non-combatants in its war efforts. Are these Ukrainian civilians too "less than human" so their lives don't matter? And what about those Ukrainians suddenly thrust into service -- like the mother turned border guard depicted by Arina -- as a result of Russia's aggression? 

The exhibit at Chasen Gallery II at the Siesta Key Mall runs through May 21. On May 17, the Gallery will host an evening of Ukrainian music from 6-8 pm. Donations are being accepted that will be channeled to the children whose art is on display. For a $35 donation, you will receive a print of the artwork of your choice. Thanks to Chasen Gallery, Wotjek Sawa and everyone else involved in bringing this exhibit to Sarasota.