21 August 2023

Kateryna Beslik. Hulyaypole – My Little Homeland

On September 1^st at 6 pm the Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania will open a personal exhibition by Ukrainian designer and artist Kateryna Beslik titled “Huliaipole – My Little Homeland”.

The exhibition tells the story of the artists’ home city Hulyaypole in the Zaporozhye region, located within the war zone, and of the people living there, including Katia’s family. From the beginning of March 2022, the city is in a shortage of electricity, gas, water and everyday transportation, it is constantly shelled by enemies.

The people living in Hulyaypole and other similar cities can evoke a plethora of different feelings: admiration and disdain, pride and pity, contempt, understanding or respect. These are people who for personal reasons have decided to stay home even in the most extreme circumstances.

The artist is looking into the spirit of her country and into the feelings of these people. Why do they continue to live in these conditions? What do they feel? What is home for them?

“After visiting there in June this year I was very frightened. I saw their strength, courage, optimism, and I saw how the human psyche adapts to everything, how it numbs or destroys certain feelings.

For me Hulyaypole is a field, it is wind, revolt, freedom and a thirst for life.”

Kateryna Beslik has been working as a fashion designer and stylist. This exhibition is the first step into expanding her field of creative ideas, to introduce the fashion artist through materials that are closest to her – secondary raw materials and textile.

During the exhibition period, visitors will be able to participate in providing humanitarian aid to Hulyaypole.

The exhibition can be viewed on September 1–25^th at the Exhibition Hall (3^rd floor) in the National Library.

The exhibition is supported by „Ukreate Hub“ and the Open Lithuania Foundation.

The poster uses photography by Marcin Kruk

For more work by the artist:

https://www.instagram.com/kateryna_beslik/

During the exhibition, donations are invited to the Support fund by lady boss club. This fund provides humanitarian aid to families with children and the elderly. It has already helped more than 2000 families by donating food kits, hygiene products and clothing. Fund details:

BO SUPPORT FUND FROM THE LADY BOSS CLUB
Beneficiary code: 44749210
Beneficiary account: UA893052990000026004046224883
Bank name: JSC CB "PRIVATBANK"

Briefly about the exhibition

Date

1–25 September

Time

library working hours

Place

Exhibition Hall, 3rd floor

Attendance

free

Supporters

„Ukreate Hub“, Open Lithuania Foundation

Important

the opening of the exhibition will be held in English

More information

„Facebook“