Conclusio und Statements der ukrainischen Künstlerinnen Yuliia Makarenko, Kateryna Lysovenko, Polina Makarova
Conclusio 2022
Die Arbeit des Office Ukraine Graz konzentrierte sich in den zehn Monaten seit der Gründung im März zunächst auf grundlegende Unterstützungsleistungen für ukrainische Künstler:innen und Kulturschaffende, die vor dem Krieg nach Österreich geflohen sind. In dieser Zeit wurde aber schnell deutlich, dass die Einbindung der hierzulande Schutz Suchenden in das österreichische Kunstsystem ein wesentlicher Faktor ist. Aus diesem Geist heraus wurden zahlreiche Tandems gebildet – Verbindungen von Ukrainer:innen und Österreicher:innen (Organisationen wie Künstler:innen), die gemeinsam neue Projekte entwickelten bzw. noch weiter betreiben. Dies wäre ohne die Unterstützung unserer Freund:innen und Partner – lokale Institutionen und Organisationen – nicht möglich gewesen. Der Ansatz des Office Ukraine Graz geht weiters auch davon aus, dass eine Präsenz ukrainischer Kunst und Kultur nicht nur für Ukrainer:innen, sondern auch für andere in Österreich lebende Menschen eine Bereicherung darstellt.
Artists Statements
Office Ukraine Graz
We asked Ukrainian artist that in touch with every office about their experience in Austria and strategies that helped them to cope with the hard life situation.
Answer by Yuliia Makarenko
In my experience, I’m very grateful to be here in Graz, a safe place far away from the war. For all the support I have received from the Austrian government, from institutions, especially Office Ukraine / < rotor > and from my friends.
Being surrounded by very nice and loving people and the chance to participate in art projects helps me to cope with the situation.
So I hope there will be further possibilities to create my art and give something back to all the people who support me. Also I really hope it will be possible for me to advance in my studies of the German language, because I like it very much.
Yuliia Makarenko, Photocredit: KotoUtka
Answer by Kateryna Lysovenko
I was very disoriented in Poland in March 2022, didn’t know what to do later, my residency there was for one month. And when I spoke by phone with Margarethe from Office Ukraine, I understood that I have to go to Graz, as it will be the ideal place to save me and my children, and our time in Graz was like a dream: the incredible beautiful place, a people’s care and support, new friends, and very good possibilities for the realization of my practice. I am very grateful. Now I rent a flat in Vienna and work here. Additionally, I am a student-guest at Akademie der bildenden Künste Wien. I like this place and the Viennese art community, and I plan to stay, study and work here, because I also found my big love in Vienna.
Kateryna Lysovenko
Answer by Polina Makarova
My experience in Austria was extraordinary and uplifting. I didn’t expect to meet so many people willing to help with different aspects of being a refugee. The help from the government, charity organizations and private individuals allowed me not only to feel safe, seen and experience comfort, but even more — to retain dignity and to grow as a person. All those opportunities to continue creating and communicating with local artists and the fact that there was a community of artists from Ukraine that was organised by Office Ukraine were therapeutic and much needed for me. All that resulted for me personally in a huge post traumatic growth, for which I am eternally grateful.
Polina Makarova, Photocredit: Elmira Shemsedinova