KYIV, Ukraine — In Ukraine’s capital city, an art exhibition is offering residents something precious during wartime: a chance to escape the harsh realities of conflict through creative expression.
The Art Kyiv fair, operating under the theme ‘This is Normal,’ represents an unconventional approach to dealing with the psychological toll of war. Rather than waiting for peace, organizers decided to move forward with cultural events despite ongoing hostilities.
“Holding the event during wartime means not waiting for a better moment, but working with reality as it is,” explained Anna Avetova, who directs the Art Kyiv fair. “In this context, art does not stand apart from life — it helps make sense of the present, preserve cultural continuity, and lay the groundwork for the future.”
The exhibition has transformed into a sanctuary where Ukrainians process their new reality through artistic works and dialogue, even as missile attacks, casualties, and grief have become part of daily existence.
At the Lavra Gallery, visitors can view hundreds of pieces ranging from uniquely-shaped sculptures to various painting styles including abstract expressionism, surreal portraits, and scenic landscapes. Organizers made a conscious decision not to feature any displays explicitly focused on the ongoing conflict.
“The war is always in the air, we just really didn’t want to make a point of mentioning it,” Avetova noted. “Art is one of the things that keeps us human. It sustains us and warms our soul when things are very hard.”
Beyond providing emotional support, the fair aims to revitalize Ukraine’s domestic art scene, which had already suffered under pandemic restrictions before Russian aggression further damaged the market. Officials say the industry is slowly recovering, with this exhibition demonstrating that Ukrainian artists are prepared both to discuss the war and continue selling their work.
Art Kyiv positions itself as a meeting place where artistic creativity, public conversation, and modern Ukrainian life intersect. Despite occasional interruptions from air raid warnings signaling potential Russian attacks, the event has brought together the country’s leading galleries, artists, collectors, and cultural organizations.
This marks only the second time the fair has operated since hostilities began, following its initial wartime launch in October.
Ceramic artist Tala Vovk is participating for the first time and regularly attends cultural events in Kyiv because they help her mentally distance herself from the conflict and “detach from the tragedy.”
“Art is a place where the everyday doesn’t exist,” she observed. She believes such events remain important during wartime because supporting cultural foundations helps them grow stronger. “And that would give strength in any situation,” she added.
Artist Yuriy Vatkin experienced this firsthand when he became trapped under occupation near Kharkiv during the early weeks of Russia’s invasion. According to his fair representative Denys Dmytriev, painting became crucial for Vatkin’s survival and mental well-being, even after his studio suffered damage in an attack.
The artwork on display, most of which is available for purchase, avoids war-related themes in favor of more neutral subjects. Vatkin’s pieces showcase his distinctive approach, using thick, layered brushwork, broken forms, and bold colors to convey movement and uncertainty.
Visitor Anna Domashchenko said she felt attracted to the rich, intense colors because they trigger powerful emotions. She frequently attends art events and considers their continuation during wartime deeply meaningful.
“Sometimes you wonder whether it’s appropriate… but these are exactly the things that inspire you and remind you that life is full of color, and all of those colors should be present at any time,” she reflected. “Even in times as hard as these.”
