A GROUP of Frome artists came together at the start of January to create a special visual arts project in support of Ukrainian refugees.
Artists in Dialogue – A War Vocabulary is a project between seven artists from Frome and seven Ukrainian artists, some still in Ukraine and some living in exile across Europe.
The aim of the project is to work with the Ukrainian artists, demonstrating their support for them through art and working with them to create a joint response to the War in Ukraine through images stimulated by project themes.
The group took to a sports field in Stratton-on-the-Fosse in early January to create a ‘Heliografitti’ of an oak tree symbol, which represents strength and the summer solstice which is when the project first began.
A group of Frome artists and assistants mapped out pathways for torch carriers to walk and this was captured on film as long exposure images.
“The Heliograffiti was inspired by Volodomyr Bakhtov, one of the project’s Ukrainian artists who helped us to prepare. It took us four hours of collaboration and we were amazed – it’s the first drawing with light any of us has ever created,” said Anna Kovalevska, the Frome group’s interpreter and photographer.
Artists in Dialogue: War Vocabulary is a visual arts project conceived following the successful Artists for Ukraine auction in April 2022, which raised £10,000 to support Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war to Rabka-Zdroj, Poland – Frome’s twin town. Seven artists local to Frome use the Language of Art to link with seven Ukrainian artists (in exile in Europe or living in Ukraine). They create and upload their artwork to themed Conceptboards and meet virtually to discuss the artwork, life, war in Ukraine and their hopes for their country’s future.
The project artists are currently planning their first exhibition entitled ‘CONNECTION ЄДНАННЯ’ at The Silk Mill, Frome, from the 17th to the 26th March. Artwork from all 14 of the project artists will be shown as high quality Giclée prints. Local and national businesses, groups and individuals are supporting the exhibition and the project.
A key aim is the shared desire for the Russian/Ukrainian war to be at the forefront of the public’s consciousness.
“This is so important – we really don’t want the world to forget about us and our country,” said Svetlana Poluvanova from Kyiv.
One of the Frome group’s artists and co-ordinators Karin Campagna said, “We are looking beyond The Silk Mill exhibition, initially to Rabka-Zdroj where we hope we can exhibit original project artwork as part of the Quadripartite event in June (an event linking Frome with its twin towns in Poland, Germany and France). If a suitable venue is offered, as many of us as possible will go to meet together in person, which will be a truly wonderful opportunity.”
If you would like to donate, please email: artistsindialogue.info@gmail.com
Follow the project on Instagram @artists.in.dialogue
Pictured above: Frome artists.
