UK tour for Ukrainian sand animation artist

An internationally acclaimed artist, who creates moving pictures in sand, is bringing the art form to the UK for the first time.

Ukrainian Oksana Merhut, known as the Sand Fairy, is touring with her unique animation show to raise money for the Ukrainian armed forces.

Ms Merhut is performing at Trinity Centre, in Bristol on 20 September, with performances also planned in Swansea, Cardiff, Goathurst, Taunton, Manchester, Yeovil and London.

Ms Merhut, speaking through an interpreter, said audiences have so far been "amazed", adding that "many had never seen sand animation live before".

The show has received rave reviews at 3,000 events across Europe, the US, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.

Sand animation started gaining popularity in Ukraine in 2006, although it dates back to ancient times when Australian Aboriginals, the Navajo Indians and Tibetan monks used sand and crushed gemstones to create paintings.

Ms Merhut first mastered the art form in 2014 and wrote the first professional teaching program.

"That’s when the most interesting part began," she said.

"Exploring, along with my students, this new medium and the possibilities of conveying information and emotions through sand as an unique artistic and therapeutic tool."

Ms Merhut started creating and performing her own shows featuring animations on various themes, set to music.

When the war with Russia began, Ms Merhut began working with children who had been displaced.

"I noticed that children enjoyed it, and beyond that, it had a healing effect, influencing people's mental states," she said.

"We held workshops, presented sand shows, and provided therapeutic support."

Suitable for people "aged four to 104", the show consists of two acts; the first brings to life the story of Oscar Wilde's The Star-Child with audio narration in both Ukrainian and English.

The second, titled A Prayer for Ukraine, is the artist's interpretations of current events aimed to raise awareness about the war in her home country.

Antonina Grebeniuk, founder of Ukraine Aid and Welfare, which is hosting the Bristol show, said: "We expect the audience to be deeply moved, as her art beautifully portrays the reality of Ukraine’s struggles in an artistic and meaningful way."

All funds raised at the event on 20 September will go to support Ukraine.

Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.