“I Am At Home” 70x100cm. 2025

paper, gouache, pastel, charcoal, pencils

This painting captures a deeply personal yet universal story of war, loss, and human dignity. It portrays a wounded Ukrainian soldier after evacuation. He has lost his leg; his body is weak, but his eyes reflect profound inner strength. Beside him sits an American medic offering aid. A nearby box, labeled “Leg” in Ukrainian, serves as a stark, physical reminder of the cost of war.

The work was inspired by a true story shared by a friend volunteer: during evacuation, the injured soldier, with tears in his eyes, whispered, “I’m home.” These words speak not just of physical return, but of being brought back to life, to safety, to a fragile sense of peace and humanity amid destruction.

This painting is not only a portrayal of suffering, but a tribute to resilience, solidarity, and the unbreakable spirit of the Ukrainian people.