The exhibition Stolen Past, Threatened Future, curated by Matilda Cherednichenko, is a statement of solidarity with Ukrainian artists and cultural workers. Marking three years since the beginning of the full-scale invasion and eleven years since the violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty by Russia, the situation in the country is extremely tense.

As part of the exhibition, initiated by Office Ukraine Vienna and solidarity matters / Veronika Dirnhofer (Professor at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna), two Open Calls were held: Following the curator’s selection, 23 Ukrainian artists living in both Ukraine and Austria as well as Germany were invited from over 200 applications.

Stolen Past, Threatened Future explores personal and collective dimensions of war, the struggle and forced emigration, capturing both realities of living under constant threat and relocation to a new country. The title refers to a feeling which is known to every Ukrainian: that one’s previous life has been stolen  – out of the sudden, in the middle of the night.

The exhibition revolves around displacement, instability, memory, and temporality. How the “temporary” state of exile becomes reality. Art has become not only a form of resistance, but also a place of refuge and a tool for survival. 

Through diverse artistic media, including painting, sculpture, photography and video works the show emphasizes a shared resilience and identity, transcending physical borders. Instead of focusing on differences, the exhibition highlights unity, presenting Ukrainian artists as one voice, no matter where they are. 

This exhibition is a call for empathy and a collective effort, reminding viewers of the critical need to act now, otherwise our common future is threatened.

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS

Vasylyna Buryanyk, Mark Chehodaiev, Dilkone (Vitalii Hrekh), Jura Golik, Lucy Ivanova, Maksym Khodak, Dmytro Khodorchuk, Ruslana Kliuchko, Sofiia Korotkevych, Uliana Kukharuk, Mariia Lisovska, Polina Makarova, Yaroslava Melnychenko, Anzhelika Palyvoda, Yevheniia Pavlova, Anatolii Pohorilyi, Maria Pylypenko, Viktoriia Rozentsveih, Mykola Shandra, Tanya Shtykalo, Alisa Sizykh, Maria Vasylenko, Ola Yereimieieva

OFFICE UKRAINE

Opening
Tuesday, 11 March, 2025
at 6 pm

Opening hours
12–19 March, 2025
from 12 pm–6 pm

Finissage
Wednesday, 19 March, 2025
from 6 pm– 9.30 pm

Visitor Info_Stolen Past, Threatened Future

Venue
Exhibit Eschenbachgasse
Eschenbachgasse 11
1010 Vienna

Contact
office(at)artistshelp-ukraine.at

Free admission
We would like to thank Veronika Dirnhofer / solidarity matters, the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, the BMKOES, tranzit.at, the ERSTE Foundation as well as the Ukraine Office Austria and the OeAD Cooperation Office Lviv for their support.