At the Ukrainian Institute of America in New York, a photo exhibition dedicated to Denys Kryvyi, a Ukrainian photographer who died near Bakhmut in 2023 while saving a fellow soldier, is currently on display. The exhibition, organized by the team from Ukrainian Jersey City, aims to honor the artist’s memory and draw attention to the destruction of Ukraine’s natural environment caused by the war.
This was reported by the Ukrainian Institute of America.
Kryvyi’s photographs, on view until June 1, capture the beauty of Ukraine’s landscapes—an extraordinary beauty now extremely vulnerable in the face of war.
As his wife, Halyna Volhina, noted, she hopes visitors leave the exhibition remembering not only Denys’s life but also the importance of valuing and protecting nature.
“…That people will appreciate what we have around us. That people will treasure his photographs, his love for nature, so that we, as humans, will nurture, cherish, and protect nature“, – said she shared with The Village Voice.
A special feature of the event is the "Nature in Danger" panel discussions, which have already taken place twice in April at the Institute.
Experts working directly in Ukraine share their experiences regarding the environmental consequences of the war: destroyed dams, scorched forests, poisoned soil and water, and the loss of flora and fauna. They emphasize the urgent need to develop restoration strategies for Ukraine’s ecosystems now. Additionally, the event includes tours and hands-on workshops.
According to the photographer’s wife, the exhibition has been drawing many visitors every day. Guests share their impressions, admiration, and the sense of a special atmosphere.
""War changes everything around us. It changes many people’s worldviews, attitudes toward things and values. It raises new questions and issues. Ukraine’s natural environment is now being destroyed by Russian missile and artillery attacks. Poisons, gases, fuels, and metals are seeping into the soil and water, filling the air…
Dams are destroyed, forests are scorched…
The fields look like living wounds… The habitats for flora and fauna are disappearing…
We must bear witness to this for the world. It matters! The large-format photos of Ukrainian nature are simply breathtaking! Each work resonates, and I already have my favorite. The combination of the photo exhibition, tours, poetry readings, discussions, naturalistic decor and sounds, a creative children’s table, conversations, refreshments, Ukrainian jewelry, books, and more creates a very special experience. I’m glad I joined!” shared one of the visitors, Olena Blednova, on Facebook.
It is worth noting that all proceeds from the sale of the photographs and the raffle will be donated to demining initiatives in Ukraine through the "Come Back Alive" foundation.
