Ukrainian war photo exhibit debuts
The largest photo exhibition in the U.S. documenting the Russian invasion of Ukraine debuted in Houston this week.
The work of 16 Ukrainian photojournalists, including recent Pulitzer Prize winners, can be seen in a new collection of 255 images from the front lines of the war.
“Fighting: Ukrainian War Photographers” can be viewed noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday until Nov. 18, at Silver Street Studios at Sawyer Yards.
It’s been about 19 months since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of its neighboring country Ukraine in President Vladimir Putin’s “Greater Russia” annexation plan.
Ukraine has managed to continue fighting for its sovereignty, and the exhibition gives people an inside
look from photographers who have been on the ground during the war.
Igor Malijevský and Jan Pohribný curated the exhibition that was first displayed in the Czech Republic.
FotoFest, a Houstonbased contemporary arts organization, had worked with Malijevský before and organized bringing the collection to the United States. The photo collection will hit the road to other U.S. cities after Houston.
Max Fields, director of publishing at FotoFest, said this project is unique in that it has documented an ongoing conflict in the world.
“I think this could demonstrate one way to support artists who are working in dangerous conditions,” Fields said. “Our mission is to create a platform for art and artists, and I’m hoping that other organizations can find ways to support Ukrainian artists and photographers, you know, so long as this conflict persists.”
The 255 photos are divided into five chapters: The Struggle, Mariupol, Flight, Life and Loss in War and Hope. Photos will include families trying to leave the country, accompanied by their testimonials.
“What I’ve been saying to folks is, what you see in these images is really happening, and it’s not political to say that nobody deserves to live in these conditions and under the threat of violence,” Fields said.
The exhibition will also be complemented with free public programming at Silver Street Studios, except for a film screening at the Holocaust Museum Houston. Free programming:
• Oct. 19: A screening of acclaimed 2023 film “20 Days in Mariupol” by Mstyslav Chernov presented at the Holocaust Museum Houston at 6:30 p.m. .
• Oct. 26: An online panel discussion with UAPP Photographers at noon.
Registration required
• Nov. 4: Ukrainian community night 6-8:30 p.m. .
• Nov. 18: A live classical concert, “Musiqa Responds to Fighting” at 6 p.m.
The photos in the exhibition are from Mstyslav Chernov, Pavlo Dorohoy, Andriy Dubchak, Yurko Dyachyshyn, Alexey Furman,Alena Grom, Serhii Korovayny, Olga Kovalova, Kostiantyn and Vlad Liberov, Evgeny Maloletka, Sergi Mykhalchuk, Mikhail Palinchak, Danilo Pavlov, Viacheslav Ratynskyi, and Alina Smutko.