Curators of Pictoric: Oleh Hryshchenko, Anna Sarvira, Olena Staranchuk.
Among the invited international participants are: James Dawe (UK), JooHee Yoon (USA), Tibor Kárpáti (Hungary), Yoshiko Hada (Japan), Hubert Poirot-Bourdain (France), Jesús Cisneros (Spain), Ola Niepsuj (Poland), Patrizio Anastasi (Italy), and many others.
Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we have overcome many challenges, and even more challenges lie ahead. In Ukraine, we see a clear line between good and evil, between fake news and reality, between war and peace, and we are trying to understand the limits of our capabilities.
In international exhibitions, we always want to see Ukraine in a global context and understand whether our definitions are relevant to those of our friends and partners from other countries. In recent years, illustration has become an important element of international communication, helping Ukraine to communicate its views, events, and aspirations. And vivid visual images attract attention and unite the international democratic community around Ukraine.
What does Life on the Edge mean for Ukrainian and international illustrators?
Is it life on the brink of a major war, global upheaval, or environmental problems? A constant struggle with uncertainty, where the line between stability and chaos is blurred? Is it a time when, in the face of political upheaval, social unrest, and natural disasters, we are forced to move in a landscape full of danger and uncertainty?
Or is it a personal challenge that pushes you beyond your comfort zone, forcing you to fight your inner demons and strive for self-development?
In any case, as we stand on this uncertain edge, we are remembering how fragile life can be, yet so full of possibilities.
It may encourage us to face our fears, embrace the unknown, and see what we are truly capable of.
Pictoric presents an international illustration exhibition that addresses the Book Arsenal’s focus theme, Life on the Edge. The exhibition features new works by leading Ukrainian and international artists. This project is a dialogue with artists from other friendly countries, discussing important topics in the language of illustration.