Exhibition shows impact of ongoing war in Ukraine

Dawn Limbu
BBC News, West of England
BBC Antonina Grebeniuk stands in front of two banners at the Erased from the Face of the Earth exhibition at the M Shed in Bristol.BBC
Antonina Grebeniuk, Ukraine Aid and Welfare's founder, organised the exhibition

A photographic exhibition that highlights the impact of the ongoing war in Ukraine has gone on display in Bristol.

The exhibition, called Erased from the Face of the Earth, focuses on how the conflict has affected Ukraine since the Russian invasion in February 2022 and can be seen at the M Shed until 20 July.

It has been organised by the charity Ukraine Aid and Welfare, with sponsorship from the charity's trustee William Maude-Roxby and support from the Embassy of Ukraine in the UK and Northern Ireland.

Founder of the charity, Antonina Grebeniuk, said: "We strongly believe that its display is crucial for raising awareness among the British public."

The exhibition features thematic banners that contain QR codes linking to videos of destroyed villages and cities in Ukraine.

The ambassador of Ukraine, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, said it serves as a "call to the international community" to condemn the violence.

"Amid the ongoing barbaric war against Ukraine, this art project stands out as a powerful act of remembrance, resistance, and truth-telling," he said.

"It gives voice to those who were silenced, space to what was destroyed, and presence to what many tried to erase."

Several banners from the exhibition standing against a white wall at the M Shed.
The exhibition features photos of the damage caused to various parts of Ukraine

Ms Grebeniuk added: "Many Bristolians have welcomed Ukrainian families since the beginning of the invasion, helping them rebuild their lives.

"They have expressed the utmost sympathy for the Ukrainian people, and this exhibition can't leave anyone unaffected by the destruction depicted in these images and the ongoing consequences of Russian aggression against Ukraine."

The exhibition features images showing damage to various regions, including Luhansk, Donetsk, Slobozhanshchyna and southern Ukraine.

Three people dressed in suits and smart clothing, looking morosely at the pictures of destroyed Ukrainian cities on a banner inside M-Shed.
The exhibition will be on display at the M Shed until 20 July

The exhibition has already been presented in several European countries, including Poland, Spain, Croatia and Bulgaria.

Erased from the Face of the Earth was first launched at Bristol City Hall as part of Ukrainian Independence Day celebrations in August 2024.

It was also on display in The Galleries as part of a pop-up exhibition in February 2025.

M Shed is now hosting the exhibition for three months so that a wider audience has the opportunity to see it.

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