(feature article)

Ukrainians can surprise everywhere, even in the most unexpected places. Being in Bielefeld, a cozy and colorful city in the north-east of North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany, I visited not only popular touristic sites but also a number of humanitarian centers, taking care of Ukrainian refugees, organizing various events and even concerts for a friendly and freshly functioning Ukrainian community.

To my astonishment, in one of such volunteer centers, my eyes were captivated by several pictures radiating some raw and, at the same time, robust energy of war and suffering, rebellion and hope. They were painted by Oleksii Sovertkov, a young artist from Kherson, on roughly ripped carton cases of humanitarian aid sent to Bielefeld and then to Ukraine.

Such a style could not leave me cold and apathetic. For me, these pictures looked like flowers breaking through asphalt stained with blood of Ukrainian war victims.

Deeply touched, I spent almost an hour walking along the corridors of this humanitarian aid center, observing paintings and looking closely at its details. In my head flashed the images of artillery explosions, cries of wounded civilians, the streets of Kherson covered with big and small craters left by drones, shells and mines…

In what style were these street-bum-pictures painted?  I don’t know. All of them look unique and possess some mesmerizing effect. However, maybe, there is something from Andy Warhol pop art, Ralph Steadman grunge works, Barry McGee graffiti and spray-paint art of Futura 2000 with deeply intrinsic ethno-Ukrainian motifs.

In any case, Ukrainian artists can surprise…even the most sudden locations.