Art Therapy on a New Scale: From Sketch to Exhibition

February 2024 marked a turning point in the evolving timeline of contemporary discourse. Today, nearly every research study, scientific article, or conference presentation inevitably references pre-war and wartime contexts—a distinction that has become the norm across various disciplines. Artistic creativity is no exception. New artistic movements have emerged, reflecting and responding to the realities of war. The shift in dominant themes, the rise of new artistic voices, and the transformation of the art scene are direct consequences of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, which has persisted for over two and a half years. The visual arts rapidly adapted to new realities after the initial shock of the war’s outbreak. Artists were among the first to react to wartime needs, producing posters addressing urgent themes and sharing their work widely on social media. One of the earliest professional artistic platforms to emerge was Volnanova, officially registered on March 28, 2022— just one month and four days after the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. This institution, unprecedented in its nature, quickly became an active participant in educational and cultural life. By the summer of 2022, exhibition projects—featuring photography, pencil drawings, and paintings—were being showcased in various artistic venues across Ukraine. Ukrainian fine art, in turn, embraced one of its most vital roles: communication. For many traumatized by war, visual art has served as a psychological refuge, offering a means of expression and healing.