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A Ukranian family living in Manly has been key in putting together an exhibition about the war in their country that opens this week at Auckland War Memorial Museum.
Kateryna (Katia) Samokisha says organising the exhibition meant stepping out of her comfort zone.
She says a journalist friend suggested the idea, which is based on similar exhibitions around the world.
“I got access to photos from reporters on the frontline who work for an online newspaper, but I had never got a project like this off the ground before so it was all new to me,” Katia says.
She knew that finding the right venue would be important. The initial contact with the Auckland Museum required a letter from the head of the Ukranian Association of NZ, which met with a positive response.
A team was assembled that included Katia and her husband Kyrylo Kucherov and two other Ukranians who became art and creative directors.
Use of the museum’s community space was confirmed two months ago, and a team from the museum provided a lot of support.
Katia says the exhibition called Ukraine: The Cost of Freedom reveals the truth about what is taking place in Ukraine right now.
“The focus is the civilian people – the devastation and their struggle,” Katia says. “The damage being done to homes, cities and 12 million people displaced.”
The images reveal war crimes and many are confronting, Katia says. The most graphic have been put in a separate room and will be challenging to view.
As well as many photos, there are videos (including some depicting the beauty of the country), an art installation, information boards and facts.
The exhibition opens on August 24.
Coast letters touch hearts
Around 100 messages expressing feelings and thoughts about the Russian invasion of Ukraine were left at the recent installation at Coast Plaza in Whangaparāoa. Katia says 99 percent of them were very supportive and lovely to read. They have been sent to a refugee settlement for displaced Ukranian people, in Lviv. The messages will be translated and put on display there.
