Ukraine war chronicled in 50-metre-long painting
Gloucester's response to the war plays a huge role in the painting, artist Russell Haines says.
A 50-meter (164ft) painting, which documents a city's reaction to the conflict in Ukraine, will be exhibited for one month before traveling to the Eastern European nation.
Gloucester-based artist Russell Haines has created "Lines of Resistance," a painting that tells the stories of Ukrainian families who have resettled in the city, as well as residents who volunteered to provide aid. Haines has also incorporated the experiences of "aid workers, artists, soldiers, and ordinary people I have met through my journeys across Ukraine."
The painting is not yet complete, as Haines believes "the story belongs to more than one artist." Starting Thursday, during the exhibition's launch, he will encourage visitors to contribute their own messages for the people of Ukraine. When the painting reaches Ukraine, its people will have the chance to send messages back to Gloucester residents.
Haines has been working on the artwork in a unit at The Shirt Factory on Derby Road.
From Thursday, visitors will have a month to view and contribute to the painting. Children, families, community groups, Ukrainian refugees, and Gloucester residents are all invited to participate. Haines stated, "People can write their own messages of friendship, hope, resistance, peace, and solidarity directly onto the painting."
Haines further explained, "When Lines of Resistance goes to Ukraine, the messages written in Gloucester will travel with it — carrying the voices of our city across borders and reminding people thousands of miles away that they have not been forgotten." The painting will eventually return to Gloucester, adorned with messages from Ukraine.
Regarding his motivation for the artwork, Haines commented, "Gloucester came together and sent truckloads of aid [to Ukraine] and did some amazing things and I just wanted to celebrate what Gloucester did."