Limited Edition Prints available
Borderlands: Underground Survival – Artist’s Statement
I was moved by the spirit of Ukraine which was exemplified when bombing of 8 major Ukrainian regions, including Kyiv, was resumed with a vengeance on Oct 12, 2022 after a Crimean bridge was bombed and Ukraine liberated Kharkiv (which Putin claimed to have annexed and threatened with nuclear weapons).
In Kyiv, the cruise missiles and drones cratered a children's playground in Taras Shevchenko Park, tourist attractions, busy shopping areas and the busy downtown pedestrian zones. Kyivians quickly proceeded to underground Metro stations and parking garages. Citizens even brought children's desks, moving classrooms underground so that children would not miss school. Refusing to be terrorized, masses waited and carried on underground, hearing and feeling the onslaught of missiles tearing into their beautiful city above ground and making plans to restore services and rebuild. This painting shows the masses underground, safe, looking up and imagining both the beauty and terror above ground as fire rained down. In keeping with the spirit of the Ukrainians, despite the terror, there is much more beauty always in their homeland.