War Trauma Pushes More Ukrainians to Become Artists
The article profiles several Ukrainian artists who turned to art full-time after experiencing trauma from Russia's invasion. Olena Kharakhulakh, a 36-year-old artist, abandoned her steady job designing glass objects after a missile struck near her home, killing 45 people. Others like Vlada Lobus, displaced to Poland, and Iuliia Shulga, who started collaging after the invasion, use art to process shock and fragmentation. Their works were featured at the Kyiv Art Fair, held at the Lavra art gallery. The war has killed at least 346 artists, but the art scene persists, with many artists finding new purpose and international exposure.