What was your main activity before February 24?
Before February 24, I was primarily working as an architect at BURO. In addition to my architectural work, I also took on private illustration projects from various publishing houses.
The beginning of the full-scale invasion, what was it like for you?
On February 24, I was in Kyiv, on the left bank of the Dnipro River. My morning started as usual with the alarm clock ringing, but then I received a message from my sister suggesting I come to her place for safety. At first, I didn’t understand what was happening, but as I started reading the news, it became clear that the full-scale invasion had begun. My flat was in the middle of some renovation work, and the workers were scheduled to lay the tiles in the kitchen that day. I texted them, saying, “Don’t come to work today” (laughs).
Once I grasped the gravity of the situation, it was overwhelming—shock, tears, and confusion took over. I felt lost and unsure of what to do next.
On the morning of February 24, I drew my first illustration related to the war. It was a way for me to calm my thoughts and engage in something familiar and comprehensible amidst the chaos.
I stayed in Kyiv for a few more days before relocating with my family to Drohobych. By early April, I moved to Lviv, where I still reside. While physical safety was a factor in leaving Kyiv, my continued stay in Lviv is more about my personal connection to the city and my evolving relationship with it.
What did drawing mean to you in the early days of the invasion?
In the early days of the invasion, drawing served as a way for me to reflect on the unfolding events. It was not just a creative outlet but also a means to calm myself. On the morning of February 24, I created an illustration of a cyclist with the title “Ride Bikes, Not Tanks.” This piece was a personal response to the situation, blending my need for expression with a sense of solace.
I create a lot of illustrations about cycling because I’m a cyclist myself, so I wanted to create something meaningful for the cycling community as well.
A bicycle is associated with freedom and joy, and on February 24, the understanding came to me that a big part of life connected with it was coming to an end.
Most of my illustrations were a way for me to express myself and translate my feelings into images. I believe illustration is fundamentally about communication—helping others convey their emotions and thoughts while also serving as a means for personal reflection.
How has your activity changed after February 24? What is the ratio of architecture to illustration?
Since February 24, architecture was largely put on hold for several months. During the initial period, my illustrations were not commissioned but were personal reflections prompted by the news of the war—such as the airstrike on the maternity hospital in Mariupol or the deoccupation of the Kyiv region. Currently, I’m working with the ReStart Ukraine initiative on the country’s reconstruction and future. While I have started receiving orders and commercial projects again, nearly all of my work remains connected to themes of the war or what will follow it.
Have you noticed the interest of people from other countries on your page?
Most of my audience is Ukrainian, but there has been some interest from abroad as well. Recently, I received an order from organizers of the Waves Vienna Music Festival in Austria, who have been supporting Ukrainian musicians. This reflects how international communication works—foreigners reach out to Ukrainian illustrators like me to share our unique perspectives on current events.
In your opinion, what is the role of art in a war?
I see art playing two crucial roles in a war:
1. Communicative: Art helps convey what is happening and how we feel, especially to those who are not in Ukraine and are not experiencing the war firsthand. Images can express emotions and situations more powerfully and accessibly than words alone.
2. Internal and Personal: On a more personal level, art assists in processing and expressing one’s own feelings. I feel fulfilled when people share my illustrations because it indicates that my work has resonated with their own experiences, helping them to articulate their emotions and experiences as well.
Original version published on October 6, 2022 in collaboration with Online media outlet Svidomi.