Children of War
About the exhibition
The origins of Children of War, on view Thursday, Sept. 5–Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 at Columbus College of Art & Design, 60 Cleveland Ave., can be traced back to a morning in early 2022, when the people of Ukraine awoke to the news that a full-scale invasion of their country by Russia had begun. This event divided Ukrainians’ lives into a clear distinction between “before” and “after,” with many feeling compelled to contribute in any way possible to support the country’s struggle. Some immediately enlisted in Ukraine’s armed forces; others found ways to volunteer in various capacities.
Nataliia and Yustyna Pavliuk, the Ukrainian mother and daughter who co-curated Children of War, decided to help children and their parents through art. Say the Pavliuks:
“From the very outset of the conflict, we dedicated ourselves to aiding children who arrived in Lviv seeking refuge. We met with them in hospitals, shelters, and orphanages, marking the inception of our Art that Saves initiative. Throughout the last two-and-a-half years, children from all corners of Ukraine have passed through our art classes. These young souls used their artwork to express their dreams, fears, thoughts about the war, and their aspirations for what life would be like after victory.”
With Children of War, a multimedia exhibition of work created by young people during this time of war, the Pavliuks intend to provide visitors insight into the experiences of these children and their families and to remind them of how crucial it is to support Ukraine on diplomatic and other fronts. “Only through our combined efforts can we hope to emerge victorious in this war,” say the exhibition’s co-creators, continuing, “We don’t know what story this child has behind him.”
“Even a seemingly simple question like, ‘Where are your parents?’ or ‘Do you have a brother or sister?’ can be very sensitive for them to hear. These children saw what they should not have seen in life… And this will forever remain in their memory and be reflected throughout their lives, decisions, fears and choices. But fortunately, the fire in children’s eyes did not go out, and this war has not broken them.”
This art brings back their wings! And we, the adults, simply do everything to support that spark and kindle it into a thirst for life.”
Children of War and the Ukrainian Cultural Association of Ohio
The exhibition Children of War was made possible by the collaboration of the Ukrainian Cultural Association of Ohio, a grassroots nonprofit with a mission of promoting Ukrainian culture and providing humanitarian aid. For more information, visit ucao.us.
Also on view at CCAD
FotoFocus Biennial: I Was Here (in Beeler Gallery’s main gallery space) and Spitball X: Ten Years of the Spitball Anthology at CCAD (in Beeler Gallery’s Project Space) will open at CCAD on Thursday, Sept. 5, beginning with a free, public reception from 6 to 8 p.m.