Oleg Sokolov, ‘The one who won the fight’, 1986 from the collection of the Museum of Odesa Modern Art.
We’re all tired. We are meant to be slowly waking up to life in the coming weeks1. This weekend’s sunshine helped but it won’t make bad politics disappear or end wars. The weight of the world feels particularly heavy for those living through war and uncertainty - in Ukraine and beyond.
To try and lift spirits and move beyond the hostility playing out on the international stage, I wanted to send you something different - beauty, craft and creative inspiration straight from Ukraine. The traditions that survive do so because of the people who continue to honour them even in the most challenging circumstances.
Below, I’ve curated my favourite work from the region. It’s rich and beautiful, woven with history, resilience and deep cultural heritage. Many of the pieces are available for sale and everything is linked for you to explore further. Most brands and creatives offer international shipping, and with every order, you’d be showing your support. We can spread more love and share kindness through our individual actions and appreciation - especially across borders.
There is a personal link for me, of course, that some of you will recognise quite easily. My grandma was from Lviv and the Carpathian Mountains have always carried deep significance for my family. In 2016, I first worked alongside a community of women preserving their heritage, creating knitwear from undyed wool, spun from the sheep that graze the mountains.
In Kyiv and Lviv, artists and designers reinterpret the past - like Etnodim’s embroidered linen dresses and shirts (I want to support them by wearing the one based on the patterns from the Lviv region below) or Gushka’s handwoven lizhnyks, thick and warm like a safe embrace (I’ve got one at home that is at least half a century old, they last forever. These blankets can be used as rugs, bed throws or decorative wall pieces).
Another kind of restoration happens through song. Natalia Rybka-Parkhomenko leads workshops where music becomes a way to heal, particularly for those who have endured the unimaginable on the frontlines. There is something deeply moving about her work - about the way voices rise together, carrying stories of hope, braidingexperiences into something whole.
Lastly…in NYC, threads of connection continue. Before I even travelled to Ukraine for the first time, I experienced a strong sense of it in New York. If you find yourself there, visit The Ukrainian Museum, where exhibitions celebrate Ukrainian artists and craft. Then, have a jolly time at Veselka, where the potato pancakes are crisp, golden and utterly comforting.
Closer to home, in the UK, I have once worked for Olia Hercules at her Ukrainian supper club in London and her cooking is divine (Olia’s cookbook is linked up below).
There is a beauty in remembering, in reinterpreting, in carrying forward. This newsletter is a small tribute to those who continue to do so - thank you!
Until next time,
Ax
Thanks for reading THE ART EDIT. This post is public so feel free to share it and add to this list by mentioning your favourite Slavic artists, artisans or musicians in the comments below. Let’s celebrate this beautiful culture together.
Another artwork from the collection of the Museum of Odesa Modern Art. ‘Ecology’ by Yuriy Yegorov.
Nadiia candle crafted together with the skilled artisan of Medovi Svichky's workshop. Infused with natural propolis extracts to purify the air while releasing the soothing fragrance of beeswax.
The Nadiia satin ribbon barrette, designed in collaboration with Etnodim. The flowers are made by Kvitny_mo, a craftswoman from Odesa, using the Japanese embossing technique. Each delicate flower is handmade and individually coloured.
Etnodim’s ‘Memories of Visions’ collection, inspired by traditional Ukrainian embroidered kitchen towels, comes from working alongside Liudmyla Diduk, founder of the local history and culture museum in Mokra Kalyhirka, Cherkasy region. Her collection of almost a hundred embroidered towels is a testament to nearly five decades of honouring the cultural legacy.
Malanka, the traditional Ukrainian New Year celebration, photographed by Vasylyna Vrublevska.
Pages from ‘Malanka’, the sixth photobook by Ukrainian American visual artist Yelena Yemchuk. The book explores the pre-Christian tradition with folklore rituals that take place on January 14, the Old New Year in the Julian calendar.
Selected graffiti artworks by Sasha Kurmaz created across various cities and countries from 2009 to 2014.
Pendant lights ‘GLEK’ by YALANZHI OBJECTS mimic the warmth and texture of ceramics with their thick cellulose construction.
A picture I took on 35mm slide transparency film during my visit to the Carpathian Mountains in 2016.
A 35mm analogue photograph by James Robjant of Sophia Roberts wearing a jumper from my collaborative project with artisan women in the Carpathian Mountains. This limited collection was available for sale online through my shop during 2018-2019.
A concept store designed by Kyiv-based Akz Architectura in 2023, built from local materials like stained oak and raw stone.
Another image I took on 35mm film during my time in the Carpathian Mountains in 2016.
Sophia Roberts by James Robjant, photographed on 35mm as part of my campaign for a project with artisan women in the Carpathian Mountains, preserving cultural heritage. Crafted in four undyed shades - cream, black, dark grey and light grey - each tone was achieved by hand-mixing black and white wool only. Sophia wears the ‘Chess’ design in light grey with ‘Rice’ in cream.
Another campaign photo by James Robjant of Sophia Roberts. She wears the ‘Cloud’ design. Each jumper was unisex and handmade in the Carpathian Mountains from the wool of locally grazing sheep, making them 100% natural and organic.
Artwork by Valentinа Guk (resembling the trident / tryzub from the coat of arms of Ukraine)
A minimalist showroom for JUL in Lviv, Ukraine, designed by AKZ Architectura. Exposed brick walls, a central large marble table, steel elements and wide white curtains define the space.
Pink 'Beans' necklace and bracelet by Nadiia, composed of glossy, handmade ceramic beads shaped like beans and carefully decorated by hand.
Packets of cornflower and hollyhock seeds, decorated with illustrations by Mykola Tolmachev.
‘Mamushka’ by Olia Hercules is a cookbook featuring over 100 recipes from Ukraine and its neighbouring regions.
Blue linen handkerchief ‘Dnipryana’ by Etnodim, inspired by the land on either side of the Dnipro River, with white embroidery. Can be worn around the neck or as a hair tie.
Nothing captures the translucency of the clouds quite like slide transparency film. Here’s another analogue photo I took during my time in the Carpathian Mountains in 2016 while working on my knitwear project with artisan women.
Female Figure by Volodymyr Strelnikov, born in 1939 in Odesa, Ukraine. From the series 'Introducing Artists from The Ukrainian Museum's Fine Art Collection’ in New York City.
Latkes - the most delicious potato pancakes. Next time you're in NYC, you have to visit Veselka, they now have three locations but try to go to the original one in the East Village (144 2nd Avenue).
Thanks for reading Knees Up in the Fields! This post is public so feel free to share it and add to this list by mentioning your favourite Slavic artists, artisans or musicians in the comments below. Let’s celebrate this beautiful culture together.
