Sonia Atlantova | Mother of Crop Savior - SOLD

SONIA ATLANTOVA
Mother of Crop Savior, 2022

Tempera on wood from ammunition boxes abandoned by Russian soldiers on battle fields near Kyiv and rescued by Ukrainian deminers.

61 x 36.5cm | 24 x 14.4 in

In Ukrainian culture the relationship with bread is very special. Harvest is a combination of work, blessing, and an opportunity to feed, as well as connect with nature.When Russian soldiers burn ripe wheat crop in Ukrainian fields, when taking care of the crop becomes life threatening in some places, it is perceived as sacrilege. Ukrainians are fighting for their land, and land is crop.

© Sonia Atlantova

Icons on Ammunition Boxes 
From 2015, Ukrainian artists Sonia 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.