Untitled 2022

This untitled drawing was made in 2022 by Ukrainian artist Alevtyna Kakhidze. The image presents a critical view on Russia’s war on Ukraine. The absurd cartoon-like figures reference the Russian government officials whose mouths spout blood and money, and gas. They are adorned with crowns and Tchaikovsky's music, suggesting the importance of culture as propaganda. The artist shows how Russian culture is instrumentalized by those in power to distract the public and promote the Russian government's cultural values. The buildings shown on the left side symbolize the destruction of Ukrainian homes and lives. By using such an informal style, the artist makes a direct and powerful statement about the social and political issues of her time. To understand more about this image, we could look at media coverage of the conflict, social media posts, and government publications. This research would help us understand the meaning of this artwork and its commentary on social and institutional issues.