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Design Inspired by Ukranian naïve artist
MARIA PRYMACHENKO
(1909–1997)

“I bow down before the artistic miracle of this brilliant Ukrainian.” –

Pablo Picasso

Maria Prymachenko is one of the 20th century’s greatest self-taught folk artists, a remarkable representative of naïve art style, and a symbol of Ukrainian national pride. Being incredibly productive she was involved with painting, embroidery, and ceramics. Maria was born and spent all her life in the village of Bolotnya, Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine. She earned fame in her lifetime for distinctive and exceptionally creative scenes of fantastical animals, covered in vibrant, nearly psychedelic ornaments. Her works, admired by Pablo Picasso and Marc Chagal, are now found in some of the country’s most important museums.

Perhaps the most remarkable thing about Maria is the way her life story and personality mirror the history of her country and the national character of Ukrainians. Throughout her life, she experienced some of the darkest moments in the history of Ukraine: the Soviet Genocide of Ukrainians in the form of the Holodomor, the atrocities of World War II, and the Chornobyl disaster. That is why among her folkloric and colorful paintings, there are others with a much more somber tone. Maria’s life was turned upside down when she contracted a life-long illness early in life. Her husband and brother died in the war. Despite this, she maintained a great love for life and a desire to create. This brave woman’s life and work are a testament to Ukraine’s unbreakable spirit. Her compatriots always admired her for this. Maria Prymachenko passed away in 1997 in an independent Ukraine, and her legacy lives on through the inspiration of new artists.

However, 25 years after her death, her legacy is currently under threat. On February 24, 2022, Russia launched an all-out war against Ukraine, violating its sovereignty. The Ivankiv Historical and Local History Museum, which housed several works by Prymachenko, was burned after a deliberate attack on a museum, resulting in the loss of 25 of her works. Given that Russia’s purpose in this war is to exterminate not only the Ukrainian people but also their national identity and culture, it’s hardly unexpected that this barbarous attack was intended at the museum. This is not the first time that Russian bombardment has damaged a Ukrainian museum, theater, architectural monument, or historic structure. Unfortunately, it won’t be the last if they can’t be stopped. However, according to a social media post by journalist Tanya Goncharova, local people managed to save some of the works from burning, showing a great example of courage and selflessness.

HELP UKRAINE

More than 5000 civilians have died, including at least 261 children; about 12 million people have been displaced; 23000 homes, 1123 schools, and 641 hospitals have been destroyed.

So far, these are the horrible consequences of Russia’s invasion, and the numbers are mounting by the day. Russian forces resort to explicitly targeting Ukrainian civilian infrastructure, premeditated strikes on shelters, evacuation routes, and humanitarian corridors, and indiscriminate bombing of residential areas in their attempts to push Ukrainians to submit. More than 22.000 people were murdered by Russian missiles and artillery bombardment on Mariupol alone. The world community has harshly denounced Russia’s activities, which have already been labeled as war crimes and genocide against the Ukrainian people by the majority of specialists.

Russia’s ultimate purpose in this battle and the “final solution” to the Ukrainian question is to wipe out not just the Ukrainian people, but also their history and culture. The peace that Russia seeks does not include the Ukrainian nation’s survival. In such conditions, Ukraine’s armed forces and international support are the only ways to preserve Ukrainians from ultimate annihilation and the world from the menace of a militaristic, totalitarian state.

Our goal is to help support the Ukrainian military who are still fighting on the front line of the war between democracy and a totalitarian regime that is seeking to plunge the world into a global war. We need them to be able to handle the challenges ahead.

By purchasing products from the “Be brave” series, you contribute to peace and security in Ukraine and around the world.

100% of sales will be transferred to the Ukrainian organization

Come Back Alive

This website provides information about support for the Ukrainian military with non-lethal equipment. Their sole purpose is to help the Ukrainian military. For more information please visit the website comebackalive.in.ua  

Help us protect the lives of those who fight to protect freedom and democracy. We should make sure that heroes who protect their homeland and people come back alive.

자유와 민주주의를 지키기 위해 싸우는 사람들의 생명을 보호할 수 있도록 도와주시길 바랍니다. 조국과 국민을 지키는 영웅들이 살아 돌아올 수 있도록 해야만 합니다.