Untitled 2022

This poignant drawing was created on March 16, 2022, by Ukrainian artist Alevtyna Kakhidze as a direct response to the ongoing war. Kakhidze’s work gives us insight into the visceral experience of living through conflict. Her stark visual language is interwoven with handwritten text, layering personal anxiety with broader geopolitical commentary. “The Russians are attacking my country, my home, my husband, my dogs, and my art,” she poignantly states, capturing the deeply personal impact of war. In the drawing, we see an outlined doorway to a domestic scene inside, a man, and animals who seek refuge from conflict. Yet, the textual elements that overlay the images express concerns about aid from peaceful countries that "doesn't solve the main problem," highlighting Ukraine's struggle for sovereignty. Kakhidze uses art to process and express what it feels like to have her life upended, emphasizing art's crucial role in times of crisis.