"For almost three months, the San Antonio Library, one of the most prestigious art spaces in Texas, hosted an exhibition dedicated to the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The exhibition combined contemporary art, historical memory, and the truth about the Holodomor of 1932-1933, the genocide of the Ukrainian people perpetrated by the Stalinist regime.
This was reported by the Global Ukraine Foundation.
The project, titled "Art in Remembrance of Holodomor," is the result of collaboration between Ukrainian artists Yana Nikutina and Iryna Lishchynska and was initiated by UNWLA (147th Division) and the cultural project "Homestead," created by the Ukrainian community in San Antonio. Kateryna Voynova, Oksana Granovska, Iryna Nesterenko, Olha Litvinova, and Olenka Bravo also worked on the event.
The exhibition featured a series of works by Yana Nikutina in ink, watercolor and on paper. Her works, including The Children Who Never Grew Up, Five Ears of Wheat, and Against the Darkness, reveal the pain and tragedy of the losses left behind by the Holodomor. The images of children who never had time to grow up are captured in black and white motifs - this is the generation that "disappeared in time".
The centerpiece was a two-meter-long, low-poly 3D artwork by Iryna Lishchynska. Her installation of red and black geometric shapes symbolizes the destruction caused by the famine, but also the indomitable strength of the Ukrainian spirit. It is not just a work of art, but a visual testimony to the genocide that appeals to the conscience of our contemporaries.
"It was not just an exhibition - it was a deep, emotional project that combined art, memory and truth. A series of works on the Holodomor by artist Yana Nikutina literally made my heart shrink with the contrast of light and darkness... We talked about the silenced history, about how the Holodomor was the destruction of Ukrainians then - and how the evil has returned today. But now we are not silent. We are telling the world the truth," said Olenka Bravo, co-organizer of the event and co-founder of the first Ukrainian community and school in San Antonio.
The exhibit opened at the Texas State Capitol on November 3 with more than 100 guests in attendance. On that day, it became part of the national commemoration of Holodomor victims in the United States.
"The Holodomor was a man-made famine created by Soviet forces that devastated Ukraine in 1932-1933, killing millions of innocent people. Nearly one hundred years later, Russia continues to commit genocidal crimes against Ukraine. It is our duty to ensure that none of this is forgotten and none of it goes unpunished," said UNWLA Branch 147. Branch 147.
"Each piece offers a profound insight into the pain, resilience and indomitable spirit of the Ukrainian people. For Ukrainians, the Holodomor is not just a chapter in history, it remains a raw wound, a burning reminder of the price of freedom in the face of oppression and starvation," Liberty Ukraine Foundation shared their impressions of the exhibition.
Background Yana Nikutina is a Ukrainian-born artist who lives and works in Austin, Texas. She holds bachelor's and master's degrees in design and art.
Her work focuses on both realistic and semi-realistic depictions of landscapes, flora, and human figures. She also explores Petrykivka painting, a traditional Ukrainian art form, and adds her own vision to it.
Her work is characterized by a bold use of color and intricate patterns through which she reinterprets personal stories and honors cultural heritage. Her floral motifs range from meticulous realism to abstract interpretations, demonstrating her versatility and connection to both tradition and innovation.
Iryna Lishchynska is a 3D artist, volunteer and member of UNWLA. She was born in Ukraine and currently resides in Austin. Born and raised in Ukraine, she began volunteering as a teenager, helping orphans in her home country. After moving to the U.S., she volunteered at the Arch Homeless Shelter and initiatives such as Haircuts for the Homeless in partnership with Birds Barbershop and the Paul Mitchell School. Since February 2022, Iryna has turned her artistic talents to charitable projects in support of Ukraine's defenders. Her art is a reflection on memory, female strength and resilience.
Author: Inna Mikhno