"Mother the Guardian"

Type of product: acrylic and luminescent paints applied to the surface of a missile shell fragment
 
Date and location of collecting debris: 2022, Ukraine, Kherson region
 
Artwork Details: This artwork was inspired by an extract from the poem "In our paradise on earth ..." by Taras Shevchenko (1814-1861), a Ukrainian poet, novelist, thinker, painter, ethnographer and public figure. He became a national hero and symbol of Ukraine.
 
"In our paradise on earth
There is nothing better
Than a young mother
With her little baby.

Sometimes, it happens
that I look at them,
and wonder at the miracle,
and sadness overcomes my soul;

and I feel pity towards her,
And I pray in front of her
Like I would pray
in front of a holy image
of the Holy Mother,
Who brought God
to our world..."
 
Artist: Tetyana Frey
In Echoes of Conflict, artist Tetyana Frey transforms remnants of war into powerful works of art, painting directly onto fragments of missiles to create a moving tribute to resilience and renewal. Set against the harsh textures of destruction, her vibrant compositions explore the tension between violence and beauty, chaos and harmony. Some of the works draw inspiration from iconic Ukrainian artists such as Kazimir Malevich, Maria Prymachenko, Ivan Aivazovsky, and Arkhip Kuindzhi, echoing their styles while forging a deeply personal response to contemporary conflict. 
Each piece reflects the human stories behind the conflict in Ukraine - solidarity, hope, and survival - while challenging viewers to confront the realities of war. By reclaiming instruments of violence as artworks, Frey not only honours those affected by war but also reclaims the power of creation in the face of devastation, offering a stirring meditation on the enduring strength of the human spirit.
Each piece has been described by an artist herself and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, detailing the date, signature, and other unique attributes of the artwork.