CONNECTION ЄДНАННЯ
Artists in Dialogue War Vocabulary, Frome & Ukraine
Finale Sunday 26th March 2023 2:30 – 4:30pm
Artists in Dialogue: War Vocabulary is a shared communication-through-art project initiated by a group of artists based in Frome, UK. Its key aim in the first phase, is to support a group of seven Ukrainian artists (in exile in Europe or remaining in Ukraine), all severely affected by the ongoing war in their country. Engaging with individual Ukrainian artists’ stories, the Frome artists are deepening their own understanding of this catastrophic conflict and atrocity. Through the project an international ‘conversation’ between the artists occurs; Ukrainian artists discuss the impact of the war in their country and Frome artists explain the impotence of lives lived in safety in a country at peace. The language of art is stateless, without boundaries and provides secure foundations for this ambitious project.
Regular, scheduled discussions occur on Zoom (supported by a Ukrainian/English interpreter). Project artists share their artwork, comments and questions on Conceptboards based around specific, agreed themes, relating to the war against Ukraine. All artists can view the virtual boards in their own time, on their personal devices, wherever they are. In addition further dialogue develops through image-only based conversations on the virtual boards. This practice enables difficult and traumatic topics and memories to emerge poignantly primarily through art, as well as the written word and supportive discussion.
CONNECTION ЄДНАННЯ an exhibition by Artists in Dialogue: War Vocabulary is the first exhibition of project artwork and visual conversations. The intention is to promote a deeper understanding of the war against Ukraine, to inspire wider dialogue and to raise further questions for visitors to the exhibition. It will include personal stories from individual artists.
All project artists’ work will be displayed as limited edition fine art Giclée prints available to order at the exhibition; funds raised will help support all phases of the project.
Participating Frome-based Artists in Dialogue:
Karin Campagna, Barry Cooper, Tonia Gunstone, Anna Kovalevska, Lorna Thomas, Caroline Walsh-Waring and Pam Warner.
Participating Ukrainian Artists in Dialogue:
Tetiana & Volodymyr Bakhtov, Galina Daniliuk, Tetiana Kovalenko, Svetlana Poluyanova, Lotita Sanamyan, Volodymyr Voropal and Oleksandr Vynnyk.