THURS 8 SEP / 6PM / ONLINE

FREE / BOOK HERE

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, many within the visual arts sector across Europe have developed insightful exhibitions or featured work in support of the Ukrainian people. The rush to ‘do something’ came from both outrage and empathy. It reflected the zeitgeist. Recently, the press has been talking about ‘war fatigue’ in the West, calling it Putin’s most effective weapon. Now, more than ever, we need to show solidarity.

Join Ukrainian curators, and founders of Ukrainian. Photographies Viktoria Bavykina and Max Gorbatskyi, alongside Open Eye Gallery’s Head of Exhibitions Mariama Attah to discuss how we can work together to support contemporary Ukrainian Culture over what looks like a prolonged period of war in the country. Chaired by Open Eye Gallery’s Executive Director, Sarah Fisher.

The talk will take place online on Thursday 8 September at 6PM, and be streamed live to the Open Eye Gallery TWITCH account. You can send in any questions in advance to natalie@openeye.org.uk, via Twitter @OpenEyeGallery or via the TWITCH chat during the stream.

Ukrainian.Photographies
The online platform ‘Ukrainian. Photographies’ is a living archive that exhibits work by ukrainian photographers and commentary on ukrainian photographic practices, assembled from the diverse perspectives of a range of european thinkers and cultural figures.

The platform has been developed by and is run by Ukrainian curators and creatives, standing shoulder to shoulder with European curators, academics, and supporters to ensure the resilience and visibility of Ukrainian art and contemporary visual culture.

Viktoria Bavykina
Viktoria Bavykina is a curator and art critic with a particular interest in political art and contemporary photography practices. She holds a PhD in sociology of culture at V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University. Previously, Viktoria was a curator at “Grynyov Art Collection” – Ukraine’s largest private contemporary art foundation and curated Kharkiv Photo Forum – an international photography conference. She is an author of numerous articles and a co-founder of “Ukrainian Photography” non-profit organisation.

Max Gorbatskyi
Max Gorbatskyi is a photography curator and researcher from Ukraine whose interests span contemporary and archival photography. He was previously a curator at Mystetskyi Arsenal National Art and Culture Museum Complex in Kyiv, Ukraine, where in 2021, he co-curated the landmark exhibition “Sensitivity. Contemporary Ukrainian Photography”. He is a co-founder of the “Ukrainian Photography” non-profit organisation. Max has an MA in Arts Management at the University of Bologna and is now pursuing an MA in History of Photography at Birkbeck, University of London as a Chevening scholar.

Mariama Attah
Mariama Attah is a photography curator, writer and lecturer with a particular interest in overlooked visual histories, and understanding how photography and visual culture can be used to amplify underrepresented voices. Mariama is the Head of Exhibitions at Open Eye Gallery, Liverpool. She was previously Assistant Editor of Foam Magazine. Prior to this, she was Curator of Photoworks, where she was responsible for developing and curating programs and events including Brighton Photo Biennial and was also Commissioning and Managing Editor of the yearly magazine Photoworks Annual.

Sarah Fisher
Sarah Fisher has over 30 yrs experience in the arts. Currently Executive Director of Open Eye Gallery, Liverpool, co-Chair of Culture Forum North and on the advisory board of Hardman House. Previously history includes leading the Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art, Manchester, and Head of Visual Arts, Arts Council NW, amongst other roles. Sarah began her career as a London-based practicing artist, lecturing at the Slade School of Art and Chelsea College of Art and Design. Sarah has a B.A. Fine Art (Winchester School of Art), and M.A. Fine Art (Royal College of Art).