Ukraine’s art of loss and resilience shines in a new exhibition at the Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe. On view through April 20, 2025.

Amidst Cries from the Rubble: Art of Loss and Resilience from Ukraine
on view through April 20, 2025
Museum of International Folk Art, Santa Fe
The Museum of International Folk Art presents Amidst Cries from the Rubble: Art of Loss and Resilience from Ukraine, an exhibition that highlights the devastation, pain, remembrance, and hope of a country fighting a war.
Surrounded by the weight and destruction of war, art practices and expressions of cultural identity emerge as beacons of resilience and hope. The captivating works in this exhibition encapsulate the profound ways Ukrainians confront the realities of loss and devastation, transforming the remnants of conflict into powerful symbols of strength and healing.
Through large-scale photographs and evocative objects collected from the war-torn landscapes and communities of Ukraine, this exhibition follows the journey of a nation grappling with the daily trauma of death and destruction. Appropriating tools of war—shell casings, helmets, ammunition boxes—Ukrainians breathe new life into the remnants of conflict, infusing them with the spirit of human creativity. At the heart of this exhibition lies the resilience of the Ukrainian people. From children to spouses, parents to injured soldiers, and artists to civilians, each contributor offers a glimpse into their personal stories and triumphs. Through their art, they navigate the complex terrain of grief and loss, crafting a narrative of hope and remembrance that resonates deeply with Ukrainian cultural perspectives and folk art practices.
For many, art is not merely an expression but a lifeline—a means of making sense of the chaos happening around them. The creative process helps to ground and heal, as exemplified in the works produced by children in art therapy or by a spouse separated from their partner fighting at the front. These art practices allow the creators to channel their pain, reframing their experiences into acts of beauty and resilience. Each stroke of the brush, each sculpture wrought from the debris of conflict, serves as a testament to the human capacity to find solace and strength in the face of despair.
Co-curated by Laura J. Mueller, PhD, Sasha Samuels, and Nina Medvinskaya, along with project management by Lillia McEnaney, the exhibition bears witness to the ongoing military conflict and its impact on Ukrainian communities. It showcases art objects crafted from materials salvaged from war-torn landscapes, illustrating how Ukrainians navigate trauma through creativity and expressions of cultural heritage.
This exhibition is on view in the Mark Naylor and Dale Gunn Gallery of Conscience from June 23, 2024, through April 20, 2025. As a member of the UNESCO International Coalition of Sites of Conscience, the Mark Naylor and Dale Gunn Gallery of Conscience is committed to addressing pressing social and cultural issues. Located within the Museum of International Folk Art, it serves as an interactive space where visitors actively engage with the exhibitions, fostering dialogue and awareness.
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