For people who refused to leave their homes, the landscape outside the window has not changed. Perhaps a little – like for Oleksandr, an artist from Kherson. The neighbors' roof was damaged by a shelling, it is being repaired, people are working on the roof – something IS changing. Of course, the streets he used to walk on have changed, but he still goes to his workshop every day. However, in the artist workshops, the windows are covered with OSB plates. However, Oleksandr likes to work in his small workshop. It is his universe, here he can think about what supports him in this new reality.

 

Artist's statement:

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So, it happened that the stray dogs chose me and my house. They chose it themselves.

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Bona found me first. I was leaving the store, she followed me, came to the house and stayed.

Almaz was abandoned by his owners, and my friends asked to shelter him. He liked the atmosphere of our house, and he also stayed. 

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The war forced everyone to make a choice - to leave or stay in Kherson. I stayed in the city because I could not abandon my four-legged friends. And it is a difficult task to take them out of the city, a shepherd is not a cat, you cannot take it in your arms. Thus, they became my connection with home, providing me with immense love, support and devotion in return.

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These creatures charge me with positivity and help me survive in these conditions. Thanks to them, I’m changing internally. Looking at them, I started to appreciate every moment of my life.

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