Untitled 2018

Alevtyna Kakhidze made this untitled drawing sometime around 2016, and it appears to be made using simple drawing implements. Kakhidze is a Ukrainian artist whose work is deeply rooted in social commentary and personal narrative, she often addresses themes of identity, displacement, and the impact of political conflict on everyday life. Here, we can see a juxtaposition of personal and political spheres: on the left, a self-portrait with the phrase "my portrait, nothing has worked out yet," and on the right, a depiction of "her garden." The garden, however, is overshadowed by what appear to be military structures and looming threats. This drawing captures the artist's anxieties and perhaps reflects the broader socio-political climate in Ukraine at the time. By combining personal reflection with symbolic representation, Kakhidze prompts us to consider the psychological toll of living in a context of uncertainty and conflict. The institutions of war seem to affect the institution of the garden. To better understand her work, one might delve into Ukrainian contemporary art, cultural studies, and critical theory.