Ukrainian Muralist Shares Her Story with Charlotte
By Tim Miner
Last week, artist Sofiya Dziubliuk (@soyka.art.studio) painted the mural above was painted at Victoria Yards on E. 7th St. She arrived in Charlotte less than three weeks ago from her home in Irpin, Ukraine.
Friends of Dziubliuk reached out to the creative community to find a place where she could paint a mural that would bring attention to the suffering of her people. And, the creative community answered. The organizers of Charlotte SHOUT! gave her a place to share her art and her perspective.
According to Dziubliuk, she created the mural to share her experiences during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
THE STORY BEHIND THE MURAL
Click on the image for a larger version.
“On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale war against Ukraine,” said Dziubliuk. “[E]ntire cities were destroyed. Thousands of lives were destroyed in peaceful residential areas.
A bloody massacre took place in my hometown of Irpin. The neighboring cities of Bucha and Gostomel fought heroically.”
“Every day, my heart and thoughts are with them.”
The mural depicts a young Ukrainian girl. Standing on the ruins of what was her home, the girl holds up a picture she drew of what it looked like when it was intact and surrounded by joy.
“Thousands of stories without a happy ending,” said Dziubliuk. “Thousands of children have lost their parents and their homes. Millions of tear-soaked eyes. Ukraine is fighting for its freedom, for its right to exist and for the whole civilized world. We strive for development, we want to move forward.”
MEET SOFIYA DZIUBLIUK IN PERSON
Dziubliuk has helped organize a rally in support of Ukraine from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 1 in Romare Bearden Park. All are invited. This is an ideal time to meet her and other members of the Ukrainian community in Charlotte. At the rally, attendees can purchase artwork from Dziubliuk. She will donate all proceeds to volunteers on the ground in Irpin.
After a short stay in Charlotte, Dziubliuk is planning to return to her hometown to participate in rebuilding it.
“The whole world stands with us, and we will definitely win!” she said.
HOW YOU CAN HELP UKRAINE
For verified information about the war and support efforts to rebuild the country financially, Dziubliuk encourages visiting war.ukraine.ua, the official website of Ukraine. She also suggests comebackalive.in.ua, a website where you can directly support volunteers assisting the Ukrainian army in the fight against Russian occupiers.
