Protect the defender. 2022.

 

80х66,2х7,6 cm.

 

Board, collage, acrylic, oil.

 

All our thoughts every day, especially today, are with those who defend Ukraine. They are our protection and support. Helping and protecting them is an important priority for which this project was launched. This alive, symbol-breathing work, with gunshot holes that still shine, preserves sacred images. It is a symbol of our faith and protection of defenders.

It is based on the image of the Protection of the Holy Mother of God – a symbol of the protection of soldiers fighting for a just cause. In the foreground, it is also reinforced by the image of the symbolic heavenly host – the Holy Trinity of angels. After all, we are all fighting for a “holy cause” – for life, for freedom and independence of our country.

 

Iurii Vakulenko (born in 1957) – painter, easel painting restorer, museum professional, curator of art exhibitions, author of publishing projects, educator, and social activist. Corresponding member of the National Academy of Arts of Ukraine. Knight of the Order of Carl Faberge and the Order of Merit II and III degrees. Honored Worker of Culture of Ukraine.
Since 1986, he has had numerous exhibitions in Ukraine and abroad.
The artist’s works are part of the collections of the National Kyiv-Pechersk Historical and Cultural Reserve, the National Museum “Kyiv Art Gallery”, the National Taras Shevchenko Museum, the Odessa Art Museum, as well as in private collections of Ukraine, Israel, and the USA.