Back in 2009 the artist Kseniya Simonova won Ukrayina Maye Talant–or, in English, Ukraine’s Got Talent with a dynamic sand painting. Here’s a description of it from The Guardian:
Here, she recounts Germany conquering Ukraine in the second world war. She brings calm, then conflict. A couple on a bench become a woman’s face; a peaceful walkway becomes a conflagration; a weeping widow morphs into an obelisk for an unknown soldier. Simonova looks like some vengeful Old Testament deity as she destroys then recreates her scenes – with deft strokes, sprinkles and sweeps she keeps the narrative going. She moves the judges to tears as she subtitles the final scene “you are always near”.
There’s nothing I can add to that, really, except to say that it’s tragic that Simonova, like more than a million other Ukrainians, has probably been forced to flee because of a senseless, brutal attack on her country. But here’s another of her works from February 2022, and her description:
This sand story is about men, it’s called «Heroes» and tells a simple thing: heroes not only fight or are on war… heroes are among us, in everyday life. They heal, build, save, repair, cook, draw, create…. and not only. Real heroes are those who can help. For example, a husband who helps his wife at home, in the kitchen. Or plays with kids. The one who shares love. The one with alive heart and soul.
I’m sitting here sobbing right now. This was incredible and so moving–thank you for sharing.
It was amazing to watch and I didn’t want to get too wordy about it but I realized one of the things that makes Simonova’s art so powerful especially right now is she’s creating from her own experience. There’s nothing abstract about it.
Kseniya Simonova and you are both heroes to me, Chris. I hope she is safe enough to create another day.
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I’ve been trying to find information on Simonova but I understand it’s difficult to get news out right now. I hope she’s one of many Ukrainian artists who are currently finding creative ways to repel the invading Russians.