We invite you to “The Chords of War” project presentation, which is dedicated to Ukraine’s Independence Day held in Ecclesia Downtown Houston. This presentation is the first time in the USA viewing of the russian-ukrainian war through a black-and-white lens by the pencil of Andrii Roik and words by Oleksandr Avanesov, allowing us to avoid unnecessary embellishments and see the essence of existence.
The graphic works, created in pencil on paper in 2022-2024, deliver a profound humanitarian message to all those defending Ukraine. They depict comrades-in-arms, battles, waiting, and the complex boundary between illusion and reality. This is not a romanticization of war but an honest account of its consequences, which cannot be ignored.
Andrii Roik, an aerial reconnaissance soldier on the front lines, is an architect in civilian life. His artworks are inner monologues that strive to be heard. He explores how the painful new experiences of war transform his identity and enrich his art with new meanings.
Complementing the graphic works is the poetry of Oleksandr “Uncle Sasha” Avanesov, a soldier of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Like a personal diary, his poems reflect on his journey, creating an emotional bridge between the audience and the authors.
This project calls for understanding the altered reality, where art becomes a means of healing and transformation. War changes people, but more importantly, it’s about how these changes can be used to humanize and transform pain into creativity.
28-Aug-2024, 5 pm.
Ecclesia Downtown Houston
Media support by UART.GALLERY.
Ecclesia Downtown Houston
1100 Elder St, Houston, TX 77007
