Ukraine Illustrated | Ukrainian illustrator Anna Sarvira on the role of art in wartime.

The Art and Happiness Project

In wartime, what good is art? In the midst of the brutal Russian invasion destroying Ukraine, Ukrainian Illustrator Anna Sarvira talks about the role of art as a weapon for release, education and resistance.

This is a special episode. Like most people I’ve been feeling sad, scared, and angry about the war in Ukraine and the unnecessary loss, destruction, and grief. I’ve also been asking myself whether art has any place in all of this, and if so how to maximize its role.

Anna left Ukraine and currently lives in Germany. All her world has collapsed and her family is still in Kiev, in turn sheltering and fighting. In what probably now feels to her like a different life, Anna is a children’s illustrator and has also created illustrations for the Moma Magazine, UNICEF, the British Council, and Coca-Cola. Her work has been exhibited in Italy, South Korea, and Ukraine. Now she uses her creative powers to process, express, and educate the world about what is happening in her beloved country.

🙏🏻 I’m really grateful that Anna took a little time out from her busy and emotionally draining days to speak with me.

It was an unplanned and spontaneous conversation (and the sound is a tad sketchier 😬) but sometimes that is what we need.

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Musical extract (abridged) : DakhaBrakha - Monakh

Anna's Instagram and info HERE.

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Sound Engineering: Raphael Pazoumian