Culture
Postage stamps document war in Ukraine
To date, more than thirty custom stamps, by both amateur and professional artists, have been released.
Image courtesy of: NPR
There is one specific act of courage that has come to symbolize the strength of the Ukrainian people towards Russia’s massive aggression. The incident occurred last February when a Russian warship neared a group of Ukrainian guards who were stationed at a Ukrainian island in the Black Sea. Officers on the warship ordered Ukraine’s surrender; in reply, the guards said (courtesy of Surface Magazine) “Russian warship, go f*** yourself.”
This act of strength was so moving and courageous that the Ukrainian Postal Service (Ukrposhta) decided to mark it by releasing a postage stamp depicting a Ukrainian soldier giving the warship the middle finger. Since the war broke out, and especially after that monumental occurrence, Ukrposhta has held online “contests” to source appropriate artwork for more postage stamps in an effort to raise money for the Ukrainian armed forces.
About the mural, Oleksiy Savochka, a young Ukrainian told Agence France-Presse said, “[The mural] is a symbol that we are unbreakable. And our country is unbreakable.”
Image courtesy of: The Guardian, photographed by: Dominika Zarzyck
Another impressive stamp commemorates a mural that Banksy stencil-tagged in Borodyanka, a small town 35 miles northwest of Kyiv. The town was devastated by Russian airstrikes and fell to Russian control in February 2022. Roughly 13,000 people lived in Borodyanka prior to the invasion when most fled their homes; however when the occupation ended two months later, most of the town’s buildings and homes had been destroyed.
The mural depicts a judo match where a young boy flips an older man onto his back. This is a backhanded reference to the Russian president being taken down by a “lesser power.” Similar to a David-and-Goliath metaphor, the point is clear… even though Vladimir Putin has a black belt in judo, he cannot overpower someone with more heart.
More than 15 million stamps were sold in 2022!
Image courtesy of: Fast Company
There are other stamps that commemorate significant events of the war. One that was specifically emotional portrays a couple that resemble the “Titanic’s” Jack and Rose. The stamp’s scene references the blast that destroyed the Crimea Bridge, the bridge that linked mainland Russian to the Crimean Peninsula which was annexed by Russia in 2014.
The stamp shows two star-crossed lovers perched on the very edge of the collapsed bridge. Portraying the couple as Jack and Rose from the infamous movie was intentional; as Igor Smelyansky, Ukrposhta’s CEO said, (courtesy of Fast Company) the humorous design choice was intended to help “keep people’s spirits alive.”
A Banksy mural featuring silhouettes of two young children teeter-tottering on a “left-behind” piece of steel.
Image courtesy of: This Is Colossal
Using art for humanitarian war efforts is nothing new. In 1937, Pablo Picasso painted “Guernica” following the aftermath of the news of Germany’s aerial bombing of the Basque town of Guernica. The tragedies of war and suffering upon citizens is beautifully portrayed in the chaotic painting. The current war in Ukraine is no different in that art has been used in many facets to offer a short escape from reality.
As Mari Kalkun, an Estonian folk musician, singer and composer told Estonian World, “music and art also offer significant hope, lifting the spirit of humanity and manifesting charitable performances and auctions. As an artist, I want to contribute using the power of the medium I know best – song.”
“Day 31 of War,” 2022. Ukrainian soil and oil on a wooden board. Painting by Alina Zamanova, a Ukrainian artist based in Kyiv. During the early days of the war, Zamanova spent her days documenting Kyiv’s citizens. At auction, the painting went for more than four times its estimate.
Image courtesy of: de Pury
Over the past year, there have been several art auctions whose proceeds went to benefit Ukraine’s military forces, citizens, and cultural institutions. One auction that we personally supported was de PURY’s April 2022 sale. The benefit consisted of both a live auction and a timed auction of 44 lots. Most pieces sold during the event which went on to raise $1.3 million during the Venice Biennale.
Many other organizations also put together auctions in support of Ukraine. Now in its second year, more funds via art sales mean more support for Ukraine’s many needy organizations. If ever there was a reason to purchase art, supporting the citizens of the unprovoked country is a great one!
