From January 16 to 30, the Municipal Art Center will host the exhibition "Kherson: Art under Occupation".
"Animation of Art Resistance in Occupation" is a project aimed at promoting in the information space the artistic expressions of Kherson artists who survived the occupation or still remain in the crosshairs of the enemy. Some of the works are the result of the "Residence in Occupation", which was organized in April 2022 by art critic and curator Yulia Manukian.
At that time, she was joined by artists working with various media such as painting, graphics, photography, video, installation, texts, etc. who wanted not to remain passive observers of the terrible events.
The world first learned about the resilience of Kherson artists from The Guardian article: "Kherson's secret art society produces searing visions of life under Russian occupation". There were many reposts and feedback, sincere words of support and offers of help. But this was not enough. So the idea of promoting Kherson's "art resistance" through modern media was born to remind everyone again and again that Kherson is Ukraine!
Now, when the Kherson art community is scattered in different cities and countries, social media allow us to be closer to each other, develop joint projects, and share painful experiences and artistic reflections. After all, the war not only did not stop creative people but also opened their ability to conscious "cultural" resistance. Its "animation" helps to reach a much wider range of diverse communities anywhere. The animated plots of paintings and drawings created by Kherson residents during the occupation will enter the heart of everyone who loves and supports Ukraine.
