Euromaidan 2014

Alevtyna Kakhidze made this line drawing, Euromaidan, using ink on paper. It looks like a study from nature, “Нарисова с натури” is what she has written in Ukrainian, maybe she was sitting outside. What was she thinking when she made this? I imagine she felt compelled to record this outdoor scene. The trees are like guardians, covered in hanging pictures or posters. The whole artwork is very delicate, drawn with a nervous energy. The hanging items might represent a way to remember loved ones; the jackets and angel drawings feel symbolic, like votives. These are poignant and beautiful objects. With this kind of work, there is an ongoing conversation across time, as artists respond to political events. The act of painting allows for ambiguity and uncertainty. I am moved by Kakhidze’s light touch, turning a tragic event into something ethereal.