Exhibition «Hands of Resilience»

July 4 – August 3, 2025

O.V. Bleschunov Museum, Odesa, Polish St. 19

In July 2025, the O.V. Bleschunov Museum will host an exhibition «Hands of Resilience» — a profound narrative exploring the intersection of art, art therapy, and the truth about war.

This project is based on the outcomes of an art marathon organized by illustrators Iryna Potapenko and Maria Apryatova in November 2024. The marathon included 47 women who shared their experiences of war, displacement, and living in new realities through drawings and writing practices. Over the month, participants explored 16 themes related to their experiences.

«Hands of Resilience» presents selected works of participants, printed with their consent. Each illustration is framed within the outline of the author's hand, symbolizing touch, support, and connection. These pieces embody not only aesthetics but also the courage to speak and the strength of recovery. It serves as an attempt to document the war from the perspective of women living it daily.

«Unfortunately, Ukrainians face danger and stress every day. These stories help to recognize shared experiences and draw strength from them for ongoing struggles,» notes curator Maria Apryatova.

The exhibition features works from twelve authors, showcasing over fifty individual pieces:

Olena Kulikova, Oleksandra Ilchenko, Kateryna Bohdanova, Liliia Shtekiel, Iryna Potapenko, Aditi Andreyeva, Olena Ra (Olena Babenko), Maria Zvonova, Ninel Martinuk, Iryna Izotova, Alina Bezbabna, Maria Apryatova.

The exhibition is open to visitors from Thursday to Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM.