W+K launches ‘Ukraine Now’, a real-time exhibition by Ukrainian photographers
‘Ukraine Now’, a real-time exhibition which draws on work created by 16 Ukrainian artists, juxtaposing images from before the Russian invasion with arresting photographs documenting today’s devastation, is on public display in our public-facing window on Hanbury Street.
The exhibition, supported by Photofusion and regularly updated with new images from photographers on the ground in Ukraine, is curated by Kateryna Radchenko from her home country. The work, digitally displayed, will be on view to the public until May 31.
“It’s important to show what is happening in Ukraine now,” says Kateryna. “Yes, there are many international journalists in Ukraine, covering the events daily. However, there is a big difference between pictures taken by journalists, temporarily visiting, and photographers shooting in their home cities and towns. The latter know the context and have no opportunity to go back home to a safe place after completing their assignment.”
Kateryna’s intention is unequivocal: “We must tell our story to prevent it from happening ever again, or being silenced.”
The project is raising much needed funds for the Ukrainian Charity Foundation The Depths of Art, which is supporting those working in art, music, theater, literature and cultural studies. Visitors can donate via a dedicated JustGiving page or can buy prints via Photofusion at this link.
Susan Hoffman, Executive Creative Director at W+K London, said: “When I first saw the work of the Ukrainian artists, presented by Photofusion, I was overwhelmed by the power of the imagery and the strength of creativity through something as catastrophic as war. I instantly wanted Wieden+Kennedy to help shine a spotlight on the Ukrainian community, who are boldly continuing to tell their stories through art.
“’Ukraine Now’ is an important public exhibition, which shows the real-time devastation of war from a unique, on the ground perspective but also highlights the unrelenting power of creativity.”
The 16 featured artists are Yurko Dyachyshyn, Andriy Lomakin, Volodymyr Petrov, Stas Yurchenko, Mykhaylo Palinchak, Elena Subach, Serhii Nuzhnenko, Viacheslav Ratynski, Yulia Chervinska, Oleksandr Navrotskyi, Alina Smutko, Sirhiy Hudak, Shilo Group, Pavlo Dorohoi, Igor Efimov and Kateryna Moskalyuk.
The exhibition, on display at 16 Hanbury Street, E1 6QR until May 31, is organised in partnership with Odesa Photo Days, an international festival of contemporary photography, based in Ukraine.