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Exhibition in UK 'a miracle' says Ukrainian artist

Michael Velychko Michael Velychko, who has short, brown hair and a beard and is wearing a grey sweatshirt, is holding a painting of a swan gliding across water. Michael Velychko
Michael Velychko, 30, from Ukraine, says painting during the war has not been easy as materials can be hard to find

A Ukrainian artist trapped by the war has said it is a "miracle" his paintings are being exhibited and sold in the UK.

Artwork by Michael Velychko, 30, who was born in Poltava in central Ukraine and now lives on a farm with his family, was shown at The Sentinel Gallery in Wivenhoe, Essex.

The event raised £1,500. The money was used to support Mr Velychko's family and to fund humantarian aid for his fellow Ukrainians.

Mr Velychko told the BBC: "I am very grateful that the gallery gives me the opportunity to show my paintings which are now in England. [It] is a miracle."

Michael Velychko A painting of poppies in a field. The poppies are bright red against a blue and white sky.Michael Velychko
One of the paintings that featured in the exhibition, which started in September at The Sentinel Gallery in Wivenhoe

He added: "For me, it [painting] is a light in the dark which keeps me going.

"Painting in wartime is not easy.

"There is always something missing, paint or frame, brushes or canvas.

"I still manage to finish paintings, which are now in England and people can see them there."

Michael Velychko A painting with a brown frame. In the painting there is an angel flying over homes and three men. There is a dog in the painting and a star.Michael Velychko
Another of the paintings that went on display

Mr Velychko got his paintings to England for the exhibition with the help of John Eborn, who runs The Medder Gallery in Lavenham, Suffolk. It specialises in Ukrainian art.

Mr Eborn had hoped Mr Velychko would come to England himself, but everything changed when the war started.

Supplied John Eborn, who has grey hair and glasses, smiles as he looks down at the camera. He is wearing traditional Ukrainian dress which was given to him by Michael Velychko. It is a blue, collarless top with a white pattern running down the middle.Supplied
John Eborn, who is wearing traditional Ukrainian dress, runs The Medder Gallery in Lavenham, Suffolk, which specialises in Ukrainian art

Mr Eborn said handmade dolls had also been sold during the exhibition to raise money for damaged hospitals in Ukraine.

He added: "I cannot just sit by and do nothing when Michael and his friends and family are suffering.

"Whatever our personal issues, we are blessed that bombs are not flying across our skies nightly, so that even young people fear for their mortality."

Michael Velychko Knitted dolls. One is a dog with a white and orange head. Another is a dog wearing a yellow t-shirt. It has a brown head and a white nose. They are on display on a table.Michael Velychko
Money by the sale of handmade dolls was donated to damaged hospitals in the city of Poltava

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