The Shadow of Water exhibition is dedicated to 11 years of resistance against the occupation of Crimea. It tells the story of defiance that exists in silence, gestures, preserved artifacts, and art. The exhibition honors those who resist assimilation—both those who remain in occupied Crimea and those who have been forced to leave but continue to preserve their homeland through memories, creativity, and culture. Each featured artist speaks about Crimea, transforming memory into a form of resistance.
A significant part of the exhibition is devoted to Crimean Tatar artists, who maintain a connection with their homeland through art, despite it being temporarily beyond the front line.
Artists from mainland Ukraine also reflect on their personal experiences of losing their homes. Nastia Shcherban, an artist originally from the Kherson region, explores memory and identity in her Preserving the Biome work, depicting them as hidden seeds waiting to sprout once they return to their native soil.
Artists investigate the connection between people and space through memory artifacts. Katya Buchatska’s work Chokrak Black is a painting made with pigment derived from the mud of Chokrak Lake in Crimea. She frequently uses natural materials—adding soil, sand, or mud to paint—as a way to maintain a link to a place. The fine-dispersed mud of Crimea, once known for its healing properties, now serves only as a reminder of occupation. “Crimea is my heart’s insufficiency. That’s why creating ‘Chokrak Black’ was particularly painful,” says the artist.
Another dialogue with Crimea through symbolic objects is explored by artist Stas Turina, who has only visited the peninsula once. His installation Laboratory of Dreams invites visitors to interact with associative artifacts that evoke memories and personal reflections.
We are pleased to announce three curated tours of the exhibition in March, led by Khrystyna Burdym and Darka Dryhola:
- March 13 at 18:30
- March 22 at 14:00
- March 30 at 14:00
Free admission with prior registration: Register here
The exhibition is organized by the Mission of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea / Office of the Crimea Platform and the media initiative Crimea Daily.
Curator – Khrystyna Burdym
Producer – Darka Dryhola
Art Director – Valeriia Huievska
Artists: Sana Shakhmuradova-Tanska, Katia Buchatska, Svitlana Konoplova, Nastia Shcherban, Valeriia, Tamara Turliun, Sofiia Holubeva, Emil Mamedov, Karina Synytsia, Yaroslav Solop, Mariia Kulikovska, Anzhelika Palivoda, Rustem Skybin, Elmira Shemsedinova, Leonora Yanko, Dasha Chechushkova, Sevilia, Irfan Shemsedinov, Hafar Shemsedinov, and Stas Turina.
We look forward to seeing you there!