Morning. Drawn on 16.02.2022 in the Morning 2022

Alevtyna Kakhidze drew this pen and ink drawing, "Morning", on the morning of February 16, 2022. It’s a deceptively simple scene, rendered in a delicate, almost naive style. I say deceptively because it belies a quiet strength and commentary. I can almost see Kakhidze making it, her hand moving quickly, capturing the essentials. Look at the figure, her stance suggesting both weariness and resolve. And then there are the signs, starkly declaring "No War" amidst the simple statement of "Snow." How brave of Kakhidze to draw this! The signs become a focal point, charged with a plea for peace. You get the sense Kakhidze is part of a larger tradition of artists using their work as a form of resistance. The act of making, in itself, a statement of defiance. We can see this in other artists like Nancy Spero and Leon Golub too. Kakhidze shows us that art can be a vital tool for processing, protesting, and ultimately, persevering.