I painted this picture not to hang on a wall or sell, but as a deeply personal expression. I worked on it over a long period, and creating it helped me cope with the stress and worries for my family and Ukraine.

While I have donated several paintings to auctions and fundraisers for Ukraine, I never parted with this one. I think it’s because this painting holds a special meaning for me.

       The title of this piece is “Values.” It’s a caricature painting—vivid and colorful, yet profoundly sad. It contrasts what is important to different nations. I believe it has the power to influence people. Its bright colors draw curiosity, even from children, yet it conveys a stark, simple understanding of the difference between good and evil.

        The most significant part of this painting is its background. It is filled with the thoughts and feelings of real Ukrainians. My teacher, who is still in Ukraine, helped me gather quotes from people who wanted to express themselves. Among these words are those of my friend’s young daughter, who has been on the frontlines since the first day of the war, and an 8-year-old girl who survived the occupation of Kherson with her mother and grandmother but was later forced to relocate due to heavy bombing. There are words from many others, most of whom remain in Ukraine to this day. I copied their words exactly as they sent them, in the language they chose. While transferring these words onto the canvas, I imagined these people, wondering if they were safe as they wrote.

      On the Ukrainian side of the painting, I depicted a family: a father defending his loved ones and homeland, frightened children, and a praying mother. Ukrainians are portrayed as bees—hardworking and loyal to their hive. Flowers represent their love and appreciation for their land. Ribbons bear the names of cities that suffered the most while I was painting this, along with a green ribbon symbolizing the Armed Forces of Ukraine. There are countless small details woven into this side, each carrying meaning.

      On the Russian side, I painted a crown shaped like an amanita mushroom adorned with bombs and missiles, symbolizing the delusion of their imperialistic ideas. Russians are shown following their “bloody king” soullessly and without thought. Putin is depicted as a green fly crawling toward his imagined greatness over a pile of corpses. There are dead “orcs,” one of whom remains alive but terrified. A star with a hammer and sickle represents their obsession with reverting to the past. Scary teeth and a monstrous eye emphasize their orc-like brutality.

      This painting is more than an image—it is a narrative. It holds my hopes, fears, and the voices of those who endure unimaginable hardships.

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Alena Molozanov