Dom Master Klass Ukrainian cultural centre and Art Shield present “Heat Ukraine Now” Ukrainian Contemporary Art Charity Exhibition and Sale as part of the Kyiv Art Sessions (Winter Season) at Old Sessions House, London from 1st to 2nd February, 2025. In the heart of winter, as temperatures plummet and challenges mount, the “Heat Ukraine Now” exhibition and sale of the works of Ukrainian contemporary artists will stand as a beacon of solidarity and support for Ukraine, and showcase genuine and life-affirming art, created by emerging and established creators. The charity exhibition and sale of exceptional artworks by Ukrainian artists will culminate in a closed auction.
The guests at the event will have a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the pulse of Ukraine nowadays: its colours, emotions, energy, and the unwavering determination of its people, despite all the challenges the country has to face.
Moreover, the two-day event will raise vital funds to restore warmth and functionality to homes,
hospitals, military medical facilities, and other critical infrastructure damaged by Russian aggression. By purchasing a piece of art, attendees not only gain a unique, meaningful creation to enrich their lives but also deliver warmth and hope to Ukrainians — both literally and symbolically.
Taking place during the Kyiv Art Sessions Festival in the Old Sessions House in London, this event
invites visitors to experience the resilience, creativity, and hope of the Ukrainian people through art. It is worth noting that the winter season of the Kyiv Art Sessions festival has expanded its geography: at the end of January, events will take place in Cambridge and Oxford as part of the festival. The pinnacle of this year’s festival winter season will be a two-day “session” in London.
Register for the two-day event here
Featured Artists and Works
The exhibition and sale will showcase an impressive lineup of Ukrainian artistic talent, including: Oleksandr Dubovyk: A pillar of the Ukrainian avant-garde and a prominent figure in the history of
Ukrainian contemporary art, a representative of the unofficial art of the Soviet era, or “the
underground”, the bearer of the “National Legend of Ukraine” honour. The artist creates artworks on the borderline of figurative and non-figurative art.
Ganna Kryvolap: A Kyiv-based famous artist, that creates vibrant works with the horizons of the
Ukrainian capital city. Created during the large-scale invasion, the works stand out for their sense of time. Through the plasticity, structure, and colour of the works, one can see the strong spirit and all the challenges that Ukrainians, Kyiv city, and the country are going through during the ongoing war of Russia against Ukraine. As part of the festival, Ganna Kryvolap’s works will be showcased in a creative tandem and dialogue with the paintings of Max Vityk, whose rich use of colour and textured layers embody the powerful, structured, and elemental energy that represents the very essence of planet Earth.
Olena Ryzykh, Davyd Sharashydze and Oleksiy Belusenko: Established Ukrainian contemporary
artists.
Emerging Talents: Artists from the acclaimed “Echoes and Visions” exhibition project, including;
Bohdan Burenko, Ellada, Feldman Sisters, Feros, Yehor Hrybovych, Alexey Kondakov, Dmytro
Kozynets, Notuko, Dzvinya, Taras Sereda, Danya Shulipa, Daryna Smolkina, SOC.I.A, Taraspense,
and Maria Vasylenko.
Art Photography
The exhibition will also feature significant photographic works, including those created by: Serhiy Mykhalchuk: Ukrainian and international director of photography and photographer, a winner of the Silver Bear at the Berlin Film Festival and dozens of international awards for best cinematography. Serhiy Mykhalchuk’s photos are a creative reflection of the heroic struggle of the Ukrainian people for independence and identity.
The selection of art photography by Mykhalchuk includes images of intense events – Kyiv and the surrounding region in the spring of 2022, the severe missile terror on the capital in the latter half of 2022, devastating attacks in the Kharkiv and Donetsk regions, line of contact: every photograph is a visual story, a page of history, each art piece is hand-signed by the author.
Unique War Fragments
The War Fragments Museum unique war artifacts encased in transparent cubes, offering a powerful visual representation of the war’s impact on human lives. Each cube serves as a testimony to survival and the personal stories of those affected by the ongoing war.
The Closed Charity Auction
Exclusive artworks will be offered at a close auction, providing art collectors and patrons with an opportunity to acquire selected pieces while contributing to a meaningful cause. The two-day exhibition and sale runs within the Kyiv Art Sessions Ukrainian Art Festival and will feature a programme of cultural and artistic events.
Highlights include a classical music concert on Saturday, 1st February, showcasing the works of
outstanding Ukrainian composers performed by Bohdana Pivnenko, known as the “first violin” of
Ukraine, and Anna Khmara, one of the country’s finest pianists. On Sunday, 2nd February, the
programme continues with the “People of Steel” documentary screening and an acoustic live
performance by Serhii Fomenko. Additionally, panel talks with thought leaders will explore the
intersection of art, culture, and humanitarian aid.
The People of Steel project focuses on the heroic defense of Mariupol, Ukraine, the armed
confrontation with Russia during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It highlights the Ukrainian
defenders’ sacrifices, the challenges faced by prisoners of war, and the urgent need for international attention to secure their release. Directed by Serhii Fomenko, a Ukrainian musician and cultural figure, a member of Ukraine’s Territorial Defense Force since the full-scale Russia’s invasion in 2022, who has extended his creative work into the realm of filmmaking, the documentary aims to raise awareness and prompt action against violations of human dignity in captivity.
The film is set to screen in major international forums to amplify its impact. Additionally, the exhibition of Matviy Vaisberg’s (Weisberg) graphics, “Chronicles of War,” intricately tied to the creation of the documentary film “People of Steel,” will serve as a significant part of the event. “The main goal of the film is to ensure that those in captivity are eventually released and do not remain without media coverage,” emphasizes Serhii Fomenko.
“It is crucial today to present Ukraine as an integral part of European culture — equal, rightful, and capable of significantly contributing to the broader European cultural context. Equally important is addressing universal human themes that resonate with individuals regardless of their nationality, professional or educational background, or level of artistic perception. As our musical genius, Valentyn Sylvestrov once said, “True music is where the Human exists.” Similarly, we must showcase artistic projects that centre around the Human experience. And we must do so thoughtfully, consistently, and with purpose.” Irina Budanska, Co-Founder of Dom Master Klass Ukrainian Cultural Centre.
Funds raised during the event will support Ukrainians enduring the harshest months of winter, in a country steadfastly fighting for freedom and justice.
The target funds from the charity event will be directed towards:
Insulate Ukraine
Insulate Ukraine is defending Ukraine against the cold. Since the start of the war, millions of windows have been blown out by bombs or bullets. Soaring energy prices and sub-zero winter temperatures make this an urgent problem, as windows are a key component of good building insulation. Insulate Ukraine has created a new triple-glazed polyethylene window design to protect against the cold. To date, they have installed over 36,000 windows across the frontline.
https://www.insulate-ukraine.org
PDMSh: A Mobile Hospital of Hope
PDMSh is the largest team of civilian medical volunteers, saving lives on the frontlines of the Russian-Ukrainian war for over 10 years. They evacuate the wounded and treat the sick, providing critical care in extreme conditions. In the past year, PDMSh has transformed into one of the most effective medical units of Ukraine’s Defense Forces. They’ve pioneered frontline medical solutions, including the world’s first medical all-terrain vehicle, the “Sherp,” and the armored medevac “Dzhura.” In 2024, they aim to develop a large-scale medevac vehicle based on the “Kozak” platform.
https://pdmsh.ua/en
Join Us in Standing with Ukraine
Be part of “Heat Ukraine Now” and help bring warmth and hope to those who need it most this winter. Together, we can make a difference now.
“Heat Ukraine Now” Ukrainian Contemporary Art Charity Exhibition and Sale is at Old Sessions House, London, 23 Clerkenwell Green, London, EC1R 0NA, United Kingdom on 1st and 2nd February, 2025.
©2025 Dom Master Klass Ukrainian cultural centre
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