Amidst Cries from the Rubble: Art of Loss and Resilience from Ukraine

Amidst Cries from the Rubble: Art of Loss and Resilience from Ukraine

June 23, 2024 - April 20, 2025

Amidst Cries from the Rubble delves into the heart of Ukraine’s struggle. Featuring more than sixty works, including large-scale photographs and evocative objects collected from the war-torn landscapes and communities of Ukraine, this exhibition follows the journey of a nation grappling with the daily trauma of death and destruction. Appropriating tools of war—shell casings, missile fragments, ammunition boxes—Ukrainians breathe new life into the remnants of conflict, infusing them with the spirit of human creativity.

From children to spouses, from parents to injured soldiers, and from artists to civilians, each contributor offers a glimpse into their personal stories and triumphs. Through their art, they navigate the complex terrain of grief and loss, crafting a narrative of hope and remembrance that resonates deeply with Ukrainian cultural perspectives and folk art practices. Each stroke of the brush, each sculpture wrought from the debris of conflict, serves as a testament to the human capacity to find solace and fortitude in the face of despair.

Presented in the Mark Naylor and Dale Gunn Gallery of Conscience, the exhibition will be multi-media, incorporating audio-visual components to provide a fully immersive experience. The curatorial team includes Laura J Mueller, PhD, MOIFA’s Deputy Director, Sasha Samuels, designer and artist, and Nina Medvinskaya, freelance curator, along with project manager, Lillia McEnaney. Associated programming during the exhibition will include film series, musical performances, lectures, and artist demonstrations.

Image: Слава соняху (Glory to the Sunflower), 2023 / Serhii Polubotko, b. 1962 / Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine | Brooklyn, New York / Brass ammunition casings, steel, wood / Courtesy of the artist / Photography by Addison Doty