KEYC Story
Watch this speech on Youtube!
The body of work before you tells the story of a family in Ukraine and the means by which they find hope. These paintings aim to find hope and identify the source of that hopefulness. This Ukrainian story is one of a loss that we cannot fathom, and what this family did in response to that loss.
On the morning of February 24th 2022, Russia initiated attacks on Kyiv with artillery and missile strikes on several primary targets. One of these targets was the bridge providing access to several other main villages, and the international airport.
It was on this day, an hour from the beginning of the attack, that Alla fled the city along with her friend. They fled all the way to the city of Kremenets while their husbands were ordered to remain back in the city. People sought refuge in their house due to the destruction of their own apartment buildings and houses. The thought that raced through Petro's (Alla's husband) mind was the fact he hadn’t seen his son in four years, and he didn't know if he ever would again. It was a full 24 hours before Petro and those seeking refuge decided to leave the city after a major bridge was blown up right outside the suburb. Back roads and fields were used to avoid Russian tanks shooting vehicles on the road. A four-hour trip turned into twelve hours of driving.
Two days after Alla fled the city, Russian troops attacked Irpin, the suburb of Kyiv, coming through Belarus. Irpin serves as a major route towards the center of the city.
Before Alla’s husband could reach Kremenets, she fled to the Hungarian border, because the Polish border was too crowded. From there she had to make the decision to either stay in Ukraine with her husband, or leave for Munich where her 16-year-old daughter Yeva was living. Making a quick decision, she drove to Munich to be with her daughter. Her husband stayed back and drove people back and forth from Kyiv to the Polish border. He helped deliver food to the people in Kremenets, along with rebuilding and repairing heating systems, as Russia had invaded in the middle of winter.
In the midst of all this, their son Kostia was in America, weighed down with guilt and worry. The only thing keeping him going was prayer. Prayer services were held and donations solicited to help with whatever was needed during this difficult time. Their son was prepared to support his family dispersed in various countries, since no one else could make a living at the time. Alla worked from 6am until 11pm, taking German classes to learn the language as quickly as possible in order to begin to work, all while fighting against the weight and the worry for her husband left behind in a war torn country. She took Ukrainian students by the hand and taught them in school so they would not fall behind in a German-speaking country. Yeva was placed in a rigorous dance program, trying to stay on top of her classes and coming home to support a mother in tears.
An opportunity presented itself: the chance to apply as Ukrainian refugees in America. Jumping on the opportunity immediately, they applied and eagerly waited for a response. Alla was approved for the program, while her husband was drafted to fight in the war. He was turned away at his medical examination due to injuries sustained in his earlier career as a dancer and was allowed to leave the country immediately. He fled to Munich, where he was approved for the refugee program in America. They flew to America, leaving Yeva at the ballet academy, and were reunited with their son. Here they have received tremendous support from the church, but remain eager to help those still suffering.
Watch this speech on Youtube!
The body of work before you tells the story of a family in Ukraine and the means by which they find hope. These paintings aim to find hope and identify the source of that hopefulness. This Ukrainian story is one of a loss that we cannot fathom, and what this family did in response to that loss.
On the morning of February 24th 2022, Russia initiated attacks on Kyiv with artillery and missile strikes on several primary targets. One of these targets was the bridge providing access to several other main villages, and the international airport.
It was on this day, an hour from the beginning of the attack, that Alla fled the city along with her friend. They fled all the way to the city of Kremenets while their husbands were ordered to remain back in the city. People sought refuge in their house due to the destruction of their own apartment buildings and houses. The thought that raced through Petro's (Alla's husband) mind was the fact he hadn’t seen his son in four years, and he didn't know if he ever would again. It was a full 24 hours before Petro and those seeking refuge decided to leave the city after a major bridge was blown up right outside the suburb. Back roads and fields were used to avoid Russian tanks shooting vehicles on the road. A four-hour trip turned into twelve hours of driving.
Two days after Alla fled the city, Russian troops attacked Irpin, the suburb of Kyiv, coming through Belarus. Irpin serves as a major route towards the center of the city.
Before Alla’s husband could reach Kremenets, she fled to the Hungarian border, because the Polish border was too crowded. From there she had to make the decision to either stay in Ukraine with her husband, or leave for Munich where her 16-year-old daughter Yeva was living. Making a quick decision, she drove to Munich to be with her daughter. Her husband stayed back and drove people back and forth from Kyiv to the Polish border. He helped deliver food to the people in Kremenets, along with rebuilding and repairing heating systems, as Russia had invaded in the middle of winter.
In the midst of all this, their son Kostia was in America, weighed down with guilt and worry. The only thing keeping him going was prayer. Prayer services were held and donations solicited to help with whatever was needed during this difficult time. Their son was prepared to support his family dispersed in various countries, since no one else could make a living at the time. Alla worked from 6am until 11pm, taking German classes to learn the language as quickly as possible in order to begin to work, all while fighting against the weight and the worry for her husband left behind in a war torn country. She took Ukrainian students by the hand and taught them in school so they would not fall behind in a German-speaking country. Yeva was placed in a rigorous dance program, trying to stay on top of her classes and coming home to support a mother in tears.
An opportunity presented itself: the chance to apply as Ukrainian refugees in America. Jumping on the opportunity immediately, they applied and eagerly waited for a response. Alla was approved for the program, while her husband was drafted to fight in the war. He was turned away at his medical examination due to injuries sustained in his earlier career as a dancer and was allowed to leave the country immediately. He fled to Munich, where he was approved for the refugee program in America. They flew to America, leaving Yeva at the ballet academy, and were reunited with their son. Here they have received tremendous support from the church, but remain eager to help those still suffering.
Alla
Oil on Canvas This work presents a mother reaching out to children in Ukraine. Alla worked for an organization that arranged ballet competitions for children. When the war broke out, this company quickly took action, providing places for these children and their families to go so that they could continue to nourish their gifts and pursue their dreams in the field of dance. This painting depicts the moment in between reaching out to help another while also reaching out in hope of reunion with family. John 15:12 "My command is this; love each other as I have loved you." |
Yeva
Oil on Canvas This work presents the fleeting pause of a dancer, capturing the calm moment between the movements of a dance. The dancer’s intimate moment with her work is interrupted by the chaos of her surroundings. While dancing to crowd out the noise of her country burning and the flight of her family, how does Yeva find hope? Psalm 139:3 “Let them praise his name with dancing and make music for him with timbrel and harp.” |
Oil paint on canvas
This work embodies the message from Ecclesiastes. “ Meaningless meaningless everything is meaningless.” The word meaningless in this text comes from the Hebrew word, Hevel, when translated literally means breath of vapor. The smoke surrounds Kostia, the subject, while he prays for the strength to persevere. You cannot grasp smoke, the situation in Ukraine was similarly our of his reach. What can Kostia rely on and what hope does he have, when his country is war-torn and his family is fleeing from death? Prayer.
This work embodies the message from Ecclesiastes. “ Meaningless meaningless everything is meaningless.” The word meaningless in this text comes from the Hebrew word, Hevel, when translated literally means breath of vapor. The smoke surrounds Kostia, the subject, while he prays for the strength to persevere. You cannot grasp smoke, the situation in Ukraine was similarly our of his reach. What can Kostia rely on and what hope does he have, when his country is war-torn and his family is fleeing from death? Prayer.
Petro
Oil and Acrylic on Canvas
This work displays a father driving away from the city of Kiev to avoid Russian tanks. He is placed back-to-back with his son who prays that he and his family may all remain safe and endure this difficult time. This piece stresses the love and protection that Petro provided for those that needed it. In this fleeting moment he makes a decision and flees from the disaster, driving away from the city with a vehicle full of refugees and friends.
Isaiah 40:31
"but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not faint."
Oil and Acrylic on Canvas
This work displays a father driving away from the city of Kiev to avoid Russian tanks. He is placed back-to-back with his son who prays that he and his family may all remain safe and endure this difficult time. This piece stresses the love and protection that Petro provided for those that needed it. In this fleeting moment he makes a decision and flees from the disaster, driving away from the city with a vehicle full of refugees and friends.
Isaiah 40:31
"but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not faint."
Oscar
Oil and acrylic on canvas This painting portrays Oscar, the family dog, with the Ukrainian flower emerging from the background. Oscar experienced just as much trauma, and was an important asset in the family's reunion. Every family member would eventually make it to safety, including their dog, even though it took more paperwork to get Oscar through customs and to America than his human owners. He was worth every signature and penny. Deuteronomy 31:6 "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." |
Alla and Twin
Oil and Acrylic on Canvas These two twins share a unique story. When the war broke out, Alla’s aunt fled with her to Munich, traveling together to reach Yeva. Yet when faced with the choice to either leave for the United States or stay, she couldn’t muster the strength to leave her twin sister in Ukraine. She traveled back to Ukraine to be with her sister, because her safe place could only be one place - with her sister. This is a beautiful story of sisterly love, and they now live in a bunker underground, sheltered from the war. Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God." |
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