UA22022022 Fata-Morgana by Andrej Babenko (Original Painting)

UA22022022 Fata-Morgana, 2022–2022, 236 x 79inch, oil & spray paint on canvas 

Babenko began working on this monumental work of art on 22/02/2022 in response to the alarming reports of an impending war in Ukraine, and two days before the start of the actual offensive. The artist’s entire family lives in Ukraine. The fear for his family’s safety, the reports of friends killed in action and the harrowing stories from former classmates about their flight with children drove the artist to despair at times. Still, he continued to work to bring structure to his life in order to stay sane. In the artistic process, he found solace, and meaning in the meaningless.
Although this iconic work was made during the war, positivity and light prevail. This was a conscious and deliberate choice by the artist: the painting serves as a kind of antidote to the terrible images that come at us daily.
The artwork contains numerous references to Ukraine: from Pechersk Lavra (the Caves Monastery) in Kyiv over the traditional costumes of women to the vulture falcon, the national bird of Ukraine. These elements refer not only to the artist’s background and loving memories, but also to the burning wish that Ukraine and Ukrainian culture will eventually prevail.