Original icons for the wounded

Original icons by wonderful Ukrainian artists, Roman Selivachov, Natalia Volobuieva, Sofia Atlantova, and Oleksandr Klymenko were presented at the special Charitable Exhibition of Icons. The proceeds from it will be used to help Ukrainian soldiers who were wounded in the east.

When organizing this exhibit, the masterminds addressed everyone who cares. By the way, it is not the first event held at the Honchar Museum in support of the ATO fighters. The museum staff are convinced that nobody can remain aside when the entire country is striving to support the defenders of peace and freedom.

The icon exhibition is a light and pure chord of the sacred art: portraits of Biblical saints, painted by contemporary Ukrainian artists. All authors who presented their works are rather widely known in Ukraine and abroad, many years of professional skill perfection and unique personal vision stand behind each icon (thanks to this, some of the presented icons somewhat differ from the ancient ones). Let us note that the permanent exhibition of the Ivan Honchar Museum features rare ancient icons by traditional artists from various regions of Ukraine, that is why the contemporary icon organically develops and complements the eternal sacred theme.

The exhibition featured images of Lord Jesus Christ, Mark the Evangelist, Saint Peter, Prophet Elijah, Saint Spyridon, Saint John of Damascus, and other images, created by Roman Selivachov. The Nativity of Christ and Savior, the Great High Priest were painted by Natalia Volobuieva in a decoratively luxuriant baroque style. Portraits of the Saint Olaf of Norway and Saint Andrew Stratelates by Sofia Atlantova, and of Saint Demetrius of Thessaloniki by Oleksandr Klymenko are beautiful in their severity. All masters use the traditional icon-painting materials and techniques: wood, gesso, tempera, and in some cases, the thinnest layer of gilding.

According to the organizers of the exhibit, the very theme of sacred art is an obvious appeal to holy images for the healing of body and soul. This theme is connected to the extremely relevant need in therapeutic healing of those soldiers who gave all their strength to defend our homeland. Treatment of physical diseases is directly associated with curing of spiritual illnesses.

“Due to the hostilities in Donbas, a huge number of wounded who need money for treatment and rehabilitation appeared,” the organizers say. “Despite the ‘truce,’ hospitals keep on receiving new injured soldiers. Comprehensive assistance to these men is the primary need of our society, and this applies to the church in the first place. That is why Ukrainian icon painters cannot stay aside from this process.”

Such events can consolidate our shared spirit of mutual help, because everyone, from schoolkids and retirees to housewives, to students and office workers, will be able to participate in providing financial aid to the wounded.