From September 1st to 4th, 2024, as part of the Ukrainian Fashion Week SS25, a remarkable event will take place — the first exhibition in Ukraine dedicated to political jewelry that explores life and creativity during the war, titled Brave to Live. This exhibition, curated by the jewelry community LANKA, will showcase works by 16 Ukrainian artists, including both internationally recognized names and emerging talents. Through the concise and poetic language of contemporary jewelry, the exhibition embodies the resilience and courage of the Ukrainian people in the face of war.
Brave to Live has already gained international recognition, representing Ukraine at Munich Jewellery Week and the Lisbon Jewellery Biennial, where amidst an atmosphere of peace and safety, the project’s creators reminded the world of the ongoing war. This fall, with the support of Sense Bank, the project returns home to connect with its Ukrainian audience.
“Brave to Live tells the story of human resilience in the face of war—pain, dreams, emotions, adaptation, anger, and the will to live. Our goal is to demonstrate the importance of art as a tool of cultural diplomacy, to introduce the Ukrainian audience to the genre of contemporary political jewelry, and to remind everyone that culture and art are always relevant, especially during war. Through them, we build connections with the cultural communities of other countries and showcase the wide range of experiences and thoughts of Ukrainians as they fight against Russian aggression,” said the project’s curators and founders of the LANKA jewelry community, Olga Vinogradova and Kateryna Muzyka.
“Supporting creative projects that have significant social and cultural impact is an integral part of Sense Bank’s strategy. The Brave to Live exhibition is a vivid example of how art can become a powerful tool in defending values and drawing attention to important issues. We are proud to be a partner of this project and to continue supporting Ukrainian creators who contribute to the cultural dialogue on an international level and fill the world with key meanings,” said Olena Zubchenko, Deputy Chairperson of the Board of Sense Bank.
The event will take place in the exhibition hall on the second floor of the bookstore Sens na Khreshchatyk—where art and civic engagement will once again come together in the heart of Kyiv to lead a cultural dialogue about our present, full of challenges.
Political jewelry expresses a stance, idea, or commentary on political, social, economic, or cultural issues. The form and materials of such jewelry can vary, but they must align with the message intended by the creator.
Participants of the Brave to Live project:
- Anna Avits
- Olga Vinogradova
- Anastasia Hulak
- Oksana Zhevska
- Inesa Kovalova
- Olga Komisaryova
- Maia Kotelnytska
- Vitaliy Kokhan
- Vitaliy Krokhmalyuk
- Olena Levder
- Vadym Lohvynenko
- Denys Muzyka
- Olena Osadcha
- Yelyzaveta Portnova
- Olga Radionova
- Tetyana Chorna
