“A Terrible Tragedy”: War in Ukraine Sends Ripples Through Art World
The escalating war in Ukraine is spreading devastation in its wake. As world leaders denounce Russia’s invasion, the art world is taking actions, large and small, to support Ukraine. In one open letter, over 17,000 Russian art professionals and artists called for an end to hostilities in Ukraine. Describing the conflict as “a terrible tragedy for both Ukrainians and Russians,” the letter denounced the loss of life, social stability, and international peace. Others around the world have followed suit in decrying the war, raising funds to support refugees, and taking action against Russian-linked money. In a global market that is more connected than ever, how has the art world responded to the war in Ukraine?People in the United States protest the war in Ukraine. Image by Alek S. via Flickr.Unprecedented Destruction and Tragedy in UkraineAccording to the United Nations, over 600 civilians have lost their lives due to the war in Ukraine. The human cost has increased as countless others have been injured, separated from their loved ones, pressed into desperate living conditions, and forced to flee their homes in Europe’s largest exodus since World War II. Running parallel to the tragedy is the destruction of cultural assets in Ukraine. Many point out the underlying tensions behind Vladimir Putin’s invasion, including the Russian president’s claim that Ukraine and Russia are one and the same. Erasing centuries of history, culture, and art provides an excuse for the violent takeover of a sovereign state. Already, a 19th-century church in Viazivka, Ukraine has been destroyed, as well as a museum holding the work of noted Ukrainian folk artist Maria Prymachenko. Culture workers are now scrambling to safely store sculptures, public art, and museum collections. Protecting this heritage is a necessity for many Ukrainians, and acts of preservation are done with the hope of future healing.Phillips’