Oleh had a special way of looking at the world and war, which is reflected in his paintings and photographs. The exhibition “Airport. 242” presents 24 paintings by the young artist based on the photographs of the famous journalist and photographer, author of the book ”Airport” Serhii Loiko. The works from this series were presented at the “Best Artist” contest. They were exhibited in many regions of Ukraine and also abroad, in particular in Israel (Tel Aviv) and the United States (Chicago).
The purpose of the exhibition is an attempt to tell in artistic language about the tragic and, at the same time, heroic pages of the defense of the Donetsk airport, to honor our defenders.
For 242 days, the Ukrainian military held out until the concrete pillars of the terminal’s structures collapsed. 242 days, after which the history of the airport does not end. This feat has become a modern example of the indomitable spirit of Ukrainian defenders.
Oleh’s paintings also have their own story. Three works from the exhibition survived the occupation in Kherson. Due to the Ukrainian patriots, they were hidden and after the liberation of Kherson were transferred to the artist’s homeland.
The warrior-artist’s struggle continues. The war will end, but art will be eternal!
The project team:
- Research – Iryna Kotsabiuk
- Editing - Yurii Horpynych, Anton Logov
- Graphic design - Daryna Martyniuk
- Text editing – Yurii Bedryk
- Translation – Yaryna Zakalska
- Public communication – Anastasia Yevhlevska
With the assistance of:
- Ministry of Defense of Ukraine
- General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
- Department of Humanitarian Support of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine
- Ternopil regional organization of the political party “The Right Sector”
- Brigadier General Volodymyr Shvediuk, a Commander of the troops of the operational command “West” of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
- Oleh Kuzminykh, a Commander of the 90th Airmobile Brigade of the 81st Airmobile Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
- Volunteer Ivanna Ereiska
- Oleh Drobotskyi’s parents
On the initiative of Iryna Zubkova, a sister of the Hero of Ukraine Senior Lieutenant Ivan Zubkov, organizer and founder of the annual events to commemorate and honor the fallen “cyborgs”