PAINTINGS created by Ukrainian artists at the scene of their homeland’s ongoing conflict will be auctioned at the annual RISING Global Peace forum at Coventry Cathedral to raise cash to support those affected.
RISING brings together the worlds leading politicians, policymakers, academics and community leaders to discuss new ways to make and sustain peace.
Around 50 paintings from Ukrainian artists of all ages depicting the invasion of the country will go on display on November 9, with half the auction proceeds going towards funding items such as food, medical supplies, ambulance cars and electric generators.
The rest will be given to the artists who created the pieces.
The auction has been organised by Coventry University Ukrainian Society president Pavel Pimkin.
Pavel helped to create the Ukrainian Students Union along with several other Ukrainian societies across Britain, and in June they collaborated to organise an online audience with their country’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Pavel said: “The context within which these paintings were created – and what they represent – gives them historical significance and as such we hope to raise a significant amount of money to support the people of Ukraine over the coming months.
“It is particularly special to be auctioning the paintings within Coventry Cathedral – a building that is associated with peace around the world.
“I am looking forward to seeing this inspiring collection of paintings go under the hammer and bring Ukrainian art to a wider audience”.
Among the featured artists is ten-year-old Viktoriia Sydrova, who had to evacuate her home in Donetsk in 2014 and then from both Kyiv and Rivne in Ukraine earlier this year due to conflict.
Viktoriia has had a passion for painting since she was a toddler and used art to express herself during the war.
She said: “I remember having to spend some nights in bomb shelters and underground stations with all the people who were hiding from rockets.
“My favourite painting is of the woman with fire around her and pictures of a house, plants, animals and books – all of the things that I miss from home.”
Visit https://www.coventryukrainiansociety.info/ for more information.
