ANASTASIIA NEKYPILA

When those horrible events began in my country, I was very worried and was hesitant to respond to them as an artist. I was convinced that I would never paint on political issues because I was not fully versed in them. But one day something terrible happened... something no one expected - people started to die in the struggle for Ukraine`s independence.

On February 18, 2014 our family friend, a great person and an optimistic man, Ihor Serdyuk was killed on the Maidan. Nothing could shock me more than the unfairness of Ihor`s death. I have never felt myself so frustrated and burned-out. I could no longer remain silent and decided to paint.

I remember that day: Okean Elzy music playing in my room, a black canvas in front of me, flowing black paint, tears in my eyes, shaking hands, but a clear image of the artwork in my head. Without any sketch I immediately struck my brush to the canvas. I expressed all my pain, all my words and emotions in this artwork through the paintbrush on my finger tips. I would like to say to all women, daughters, mothers and to our entire Ukraine - "Do Not Cry, Dear", because my pain will never be compared with the pain of these women. I have never performed in this style before. It was the true me. It was the first time i did not care about anything except my artwork.

Occasionally, I think that I will never paint anything me. This work will always bear a strong power and memory of Ukraine`s real struggle. This work will be a requiem for all innocent people who died in this fight for justice. I pray for peace in Ukraine. We deserve it. There have been enough tears for us.