What did you do before February 24, 2022?
Before February 24, I worked at the Lviv Ivan Trush College of Decorative and Applied Arts and also took on freelance illustration projects. My activities haven’t changed much since then, but I’ve taken on more work, and the focus of my projects has shifted.
Can you describe your day of February 24?
I had many plans for February 24. For the first time in my life, I needed to resolve some issues at the tax office, and I had a lot of work lined up. However, around five or half-past five in the morning, I received a message in my college work chat stating that classes had been cancelled due to unspecified circumstances. I didn’t hear any explosions in my area, but when I opened my Facebook feed, my blood ran cold.
The first post I came across was from a psychologist, simply stating, “It has started.” Those few words left me numb. As I continued scrolling, I saw more details from people I knew, describing what was happening and where. My initial reaction was shock, but I quickly went to the store. My go-bag wasn’t packed, even though I had been anticipating this moment but didn’t want to believe it would actually happen.
The first day passed in a blur of anxiety, calling my relatives and discussing our plans. We decided to stay as long as possible, ideally until victory.
Did you expect that there would be a full-scale invasion?
I think everyone had a sense of underlying anxiety. I expected something might happen, but I didn’t anticipate a full-scale war. I couldn’t believe that the fire of war would engulf all the cities. I just couldn’t find a logical justification— “for what?”
What do you do now?
In the first three or four days, I felt that my profession and everything I was doing seemed absolutely useless. I thought other skills would be more valuable. I tried volunteering and was constantly engaged in humanitarian aid. Over time, I realized that the media space is also important and that I needed to work and do what I do best. That’s when I began creating illustrations, reflecting on the current situation. People shared them, and I started receiving some orders.
Now, I am involved in various initiatives. There are charitable NFT collections and new platforms where posters are sold, with part of the proceeds donated to the Come Back Alive fund and other verified organizations. I also create illustrations for the Local History journal and the European Union in Ukraine’s Instagram page. There are many small projects, which makes me feel loaded with work. During the war, I have accumulated a lot of illustrative material, and I already have a base that I can just send out as needed.
One notable initiative is the BlackPack brand, which switched from making backpacks and belt bags to producing items useful at the frontline. They launched a Victory Bag, a belt bag for which other illustrators and I designed a print and created a mockup. In short, there are many initiatives now, and everyone is trying to cooperate. This inspires me.
And what about creativity? Does it serve as a reflection now?
It has always been important for me to leave room for self-reflection. What resonates most with people is frankness and genuine emotions. Many of my illustrations were created simply because I felt compelled to make them. They are my reflections on current events, and this process helps me cope with stress.
Looking back, I can see that during the first week, I was still trying to communicate with the “Russians”—not with hope, but out of anger. Then, my work shifted to documenting various violent and heartbreaking events: the Mariupol maternity hospital, the girl who died from dehydration under the rubble in Mariupol. I wanted to record all these cruel and painful stories.
Do you think that art is now yet another frontline in this war?
Art is always important. It is a way to communicate with people, to share ideas, to support, to show compassion, or to express disagreement. So yes, art is essential, especially now when we consume visual and informational content in a constant stream.
In the first weeks of the war, I felt like I was wasting time and that I could have done more. Now, I feel that I am exactly where I need to be.
Original version published on September 22, 2022 in collaboration with Online media outlet Svidomi.