Amulets

How to return to one's roots in the conditions of a hidden occupation? How to speak a barely audible language? Who or what should break through the walls inside a person? ​

 Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, Alyona Shybunova evacuated from Kyiv to Lviv. In a situation of uncertainty and life danger, she, obeying an inner impulse, buys her only amulet at a flea market - an old embroidered pillowcase and several towels. Ukrainian embroidery, since ancient times, was created to protect its owner from various threats, but now the artist has decided to protect it. Preserve the ancient code of the nation in stone, strengthen every cross, and engrave every movement of the hand of an unknown craftswoman. ​

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Turning fragile embroidery into strong stones, Alyona Shybunova gives hope for life to her roots, which for so many years slept at the bottom of the subconscious and woke up in times of complete destruction threat. If the fabric smolders in the flames of war, then the stone, like an ancient artifact, can withstand the storm of ages. ​

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  White, black, red, gravitation to the ideal, complete form, strength added to the stone — this is a gesture of creating the amulet for Ukraine and its people.​

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​​Text by Olga Chekotovska

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Amulets, 2022 ​-2024

 a series of wall sculptures ​

 reinforced plaster on a wooden base ​

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