Art Exhibition Depicting Tragic Events in Occupied Village Garners Attention in Lviv
Date: 2023-11-05 Author: Dima Zakharov Categories: CULTURE
In the halls of the Potocki Palace of the Lviv National Gallery named after Boris Voznytsky, an exhibition showcasing a single artwork titled "I Am Whole But Hurting" by Yuri Shapoval has been attracting visitors from all around. This poignant painting vividly illustrates the harrowing events that transpired in the occupied village of Oleksandrivka in Kherson.
The curator of the exhibition, Mr. Voznyak, shared his thoughts about the artwork, saying, "When I came across this painting on the internet, I couldn't ignore it. The subject matter of the artwork captures the dramatic events that unfolded in Oleksandrivka on the Kherson region."
Shapoval created this painting based on eyewitness accounts, as Oleksandrivka endured occupation and constant shelling in the summer of 2022. The destruction in the village was substantial, and its residents sought refuge in basements while abandoning their homes. Domestic animals that survived the explosions gathered together and made their way to the neighboring village of Stanislaviv in search of safety. Injured animals remained close to those who survived, forming a column and leaving behind traces of blood. In the morning, the residents of Stanislaviv witnessed a chilling sight: a multitude of foreign, mutilated animals had gathered in the center of the village, silently gazing at the people.
"In their eyes, you could read the question: 'Why? People, what have you done?'" The emotional impact on the artist was profound. Through this painting, Shapoval conveys that only by experiencing pain do we truly appreciate the gift of life and value every living being. Pain purifies, teaches humanity, and compels us to fight, making us stronger and crystallizing our values," added Voznyak.
Yuri Shapoval, born in 1984 in Pryluky, works in various artistic mediums, including painting, graphics, and installations. He is also the author of a postage stamp featuring the "Crimean Bridge to Hell" and illustrations for Pavel Vyshedaby's book "Don't Write to Me About War." He has participated in national and international exhibitions and plein air events.
The curator of the exhibition, Mr. Voznyak, shared his thoughts about the artwork, saying, "When I came across this painting on the internet, I couldn't ignore it. The subject matter of the artwork captures the dramatic events that unfolded in Oleksandrivka on the Kherson region."
Shapoval created this painting based on eyewitness accounts, as Oleksandrivka endured occupation and constant shelling in the summer of 2022. The destruction in the village was substantial, and its residents sought refuge in basements while abandoning their homes. Domestic animals that survived the explosions gathered together and made their way to the neighboring village of Stanislaviv in search of safety. Injured animals remained close to those who survived, forming a column and leaving behind traces of blood. In the morning, the residents of Stanislaviv witnessed a chilling sight: a multitude of foreign, mutilated animals had gathered in the center of the village, silently gazing at the people.
"In their eyes, you could read the question: 'Why? People, what have you done?'" The emotional impact on the artist was profound. Through this painting, Shapoval conveys that only by experiencing pain do we truly appreciate the gift of life and value every living being. Pain purifies, teaches humanity, and compels us to fight, making us stronger and crystallizing our values," added Voznyak.
Yuri Shapoval, born in 1984 in Pryluky, works in various artistic mediums, including painting, graphics, and installations. He is also the author of a postage stamp featuring the "Crimean Bridge to Hell" and illustrations for Pavel Vyshedaby's book "Don't Write to Me About War." He has participated in national and international exhibitions and plein air events.
