Case study: Liverpool4Ukraine
We've all been shocked, angered, and moved by the conflict and humanitarian crisis that continues to unfold in Ukraine.
It's inspiring to see the creative community come together to stage an exhibition of work by Ukrainian artists across the Baltic Triangle to support the artists and showcase their talent.
We caught up with photographer Jon Turton, and Baltic Triangle area partnership director and Studio Manager of Space by Liquid, Jake Nolan, to hear all about it:
Where did the idea for the exhibition come from?
Jon: I worked with Ukrainian photographer Artem Nadyozhin on campaigns for Smirnoff and we’ve always stayed in touch since. When the war broke out, I asked what we could do to support him and his country, and we hit on the idea of raising money through an exhibition of his work. The project has snowballed since then, with 20 Ukrainian artists and photographers and six venues across the Baltic getting involved.
Jake: Jon came to me to explore showing Artem’s photography in our Studio – Space by Liquid – but we quickly realised there was an opportunity to make it a much bigger project and to involve more artists and more venues across the area.
How did you connect with the artists?
Jon: It’s all through my connection to Artem and his contacts with the Ukrainian creative community. Some of the artists are friends, others don't know each other, as they're all from different cities. It's really a diaspora of influential artists from Ukraine, many who are now displaced and struggling. Some have relocated to Paris, one to Mexico, but many are still in Ukrainian towns. Photographer Roman Ketkov, for instance, has sent over images from the devastation of the war zone, taken as recently as two weeks ago. Speaking with these guys really does bring the reality of their situation home.
Jake: Jon has been very much the connecting the dots with the artists and it’s incredible how high quality and diverse the pieces are. Many of the artists have been displaced and in danger, we just wanted to show some support and help how we could – through being creative ourselves.
What kind of work is on show?
Jake:There’s a real variety of work. Some of the pieces are pre-war and show the dynamic scene in Ukraine but we also have works created during the war – each venue has been curated by Jon and Roy of Kula studio and each venue will tell a story.
Jon: We wanted to show the vibrancy and diversity of the country and the culture – as well as highlight the current plight. Ukraine and Ukrainians aren’t defined by this war, Kyiv is a cultured European capital city and there are incredible natural sights around the country. I guess we wanted to take people on a bit of a journey – you’ll see images of care-free Ukrainians and beautiful pre-war landscapes but also street scenes full of tension and images documenting the current devastation.
Have you got a favourite piece in the exhibition?
Jon: There are so many I like. I particularly enjoy Aline Prisich’s portraits though, as well as Daria Svertilova’s intimate and personal portraiture. They capture Ukraine before the war nicely, showing the youth culture and life that is currently being lost through the war.
There are lots of interesting stories behind the pieces. Many of the works speak for themselves, but hopefully over the next month we’ll be revealing more about the artists and their work through our Instagram @liverpool4ukraine
Has it brought the creative community in the Baltic together?
Jon: Everyone has been amazingly helpful, from sponsors, to venues, to printers, to creatives. People recognised the urgency and importance of the project so were really keen to show support. And I think once they saw the calibre of the work we’re showing start to come through, it kind of flipped a bit, and people realised the importance of being able to show the work here in Liverpool.
Where can we see and buy the work?
Jake: The exhibition is running across Space by Liquid, 92 Degrees Coffee, Chapters of Us, SEVEN STORE, Black Lodge Brewery and Baltic Social and you can scan each piece and buy a print online for £40 – you can buy the NFT version too. We’re working on a GoFundMe too, where people can donate smaller amounts.
Are you planning any more collaborations / events?
Jon: Watch this space for events around the exhibition… We also hope that other cities can see the show and take it to raise awareness in other parts of the world. It’s a great body of work and we’d love to hear from creatives in other cities who want to get involved.
Liverpool4Ukraine will be on show at Space by Liquid, 92 Degrees Coffee, Chapters of Us, SEVEN STORE, Black Lodge Brewery and Baltic Social until June 18th. The exhibition was designed by Baltic based studio Kula and sponsored by The Baltic Creative CIC, Gather and Tessuti.