A painting of an old woman on a wooden easel.
A wooden crate with the words cartridges, small arms un 0 0 1 2 written on it.
A painting of an old woman on a wooden easel.

Olexander Klimenko | Intercession of the Holy Mother of God – SOLD

$2,500.00

Out of stock

OLEXANDER KLIMENKO
Intercession of the Holy Mother of God, 2022
Tempera on wood from an ammunition box delivered to Kyiv by western military aid to Ukraine.
40x35cm |15.7×13.8 inches

The image is very traditional. The Mother of God here holds her headscarf over people who are thus under Her protection. Associatively, the image is reminiscent of a bird that shelters its chicks under its wings. This icon is especially revered by the military – the Mother of God covers the soldiers with Her cover, while they defend the rest of us. Now in Ukraine, the topic of protection, being under cover is of critical importance. More broadly, it is a symbol of security, hope for deliverance, respite from the constant tension of war.

© Olexander Klimenko

Icons on Ammunition Boxes ™

From 2015, Ukrainian artists Sofia Atlantova and Olexander Klimenko have been using wooden fragments from ammunition boxes abandoned by Russian soldiers on the battle fields in Ukraine to paint icons and donating all sale proceeds to mobile hospitals that provide urgent medical care to wounded Ukrainian soldiers and civilians. Since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine in late February, 2022, their work remains more relevant than ever.