From April 12 until the end of May 2024, an exhibition of sculptures by Uzhgorod artist Oleg Putrashyk is taking place at the Lviv Municipal Art Center.
Oleg Putrashyk works in Transcarpathia at the workshop of the artistic association “SHPOR,” which is currently doing volunteer work for the front. Here, alongside artistic works, the sculptor manufactures metal items for trench life and the struggle of the Ukrainian army. Previously, artistic symposiums and residencies were held in the workshop. Now, amid metal objects and sculptures, artists create spurs (stoves), portable “hedgehogs” that pierce the tires of Russian vehicles, and “cats” for demining operations.
The sculptures exhibited in Lviv, Oleg Putrashyk divides into two periods reflecting Russia’s attack on Ukraine:
“2014-2022 – works reflecting experiences and attempts to look inside oneself and rethink one’s place in the surrounding world. A separate series during this period is “Metamorphosis as an irreversible process,” which involves a deep transformation of the body structure during individual development.
2022-2024 – the creation of these works is a reaction to the full-scale invasion. The series “Weapons” draws attention to how the expansion and dominance of Russian culture affect and destroy, for centuries trying to displace and annihilate Ukrainian culture. I consider Russian culture as a very powerful weapon that is killing us.”
During the entire exhibition, funds will be collected for the master of the art association “SPHOR” to create trench stoves for our army.