Evening. Drawn on 16.02.2022 in the Evening 2022

Alevtyna Kakhidze created this drawing, titled 'Evening', on February 16, 2022. Its deceptively simple style belies a complex commentary on the imminence of war. Kakhidze, born in 1973, is a Ukrainian artist whose work often reflects the socio-political realities of her homeland. This piece, made just days before the full-scale Russian invasion, carries the weight of impending conflict. The childlike rendering of a person walking a dog under a seemingly peaceful sky contrasts sharply with the text, "I just want to say: If it is no war today, do not mean it is no war". The drawing captures a moment of eerie calm before the storm. It speaks to the psychological tension of living under the shadow of potential violence, where normalcy is fragile and the future uncertain. It's an expression of the artist's personal anxiety and a broader societal apprehension. The artwork serves as a poignant reminder that peace is not merely the absence of war, but an active and continuous effort. The simplicity of the drawing underscores the profound unease felt during that evening.