The art of lines by Kherson artist Valeria Huran

Remind people of the power of our culture and memory. Emphasize the importance of studying our history and spiritual values. To draw attention to the need for self-analysis and drawing conclusions in order to avoid future testing situations. These are the challenging tasks set by Kherson artist Valeria Huran. Her tools are brushes, paints, and canvases, not necessarily made of traditional materials. Her resources are her hometown, national heritage, memories of peacetime and faith in the Victory. Valeria says that by combining lines with shades, she creates not just art, but a tool for healing, inspiration, and support. She also wants to tell Ukraine and the whole world about the resilience of Kherson residents during the temporary Russian occupation and daily Russian shelling. Read more in the article by Intent.

Valeria Huran - Kherson artist / PHOTO provided by the interviewee

Artistic formula "Create and teach"

Kherson artist Valeriia Huran has different techniques and styles. She calls herself a "universal artist," but she does not hide the fact that her closest artistic medium is graphic art. It is in this medium that she best reveals her creative essence.

Today Valeriia works mainly in traditional painting and graphic techniques, and her works often feature symbolism, ethnic ornaments, and architectural motifs. She also uses ink and liner graphics, and experiments with architectural fantasy in the stylistic directions of futurism and constructivism.

Valeriia has had a thorough approach to expressing herself through art since childhood. She says that creativity is a natural part of her life, and she has always painted and enjoyed the process. So when the question of her future profession arose in the 11th grade, she consciously chose art education. Later, she graduated from the Faculty of Culture and Arts of Kherson State University, receiving a professional qualification as an artist and teacher of fine arts.

Valeriia in the process of creating her works / PHOTO provided by the interviewee

"Actually, all the following years I have been working by profession: creating and teaching. I have repeatedly participated in exhibitions of the Kherson branch of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine, where I presented my works in Ukraine and abroad. I am also a fine arts teacher at the Kherson Tauride Lyceum. This is an educational institution with an in-depth study of the artistic cycle, so 70-80% of our graduates go on to higher education institutions to study art," says Valeria.

The full-scale invasion, the temporary Russian occupation, and now living in frontline Kherson have affected Valeriia's everyday life, her inner world, and her view of creativity in the new realities. However, the artist has preserved both parts of her "artistic formula".

Creativity as inner resistance

Valeriia shares that the outbreak of a full-scale war led to the emergence of new motifs in her works related to memory, pain, and at the same time, indestructibility. In particular, she started working with "war materials"again . Shell casings, helmets, tubes, rocket fragments, etc. - all of these are transformed into objects of art by the artist using acrylic paints and varnish.

The artist gained the relevant experience back in 2015. Back then, a friend suggested that she paint the shell casings for a charity auction. After that, Valeriia was approached by volunteers and the military, who asked her to design the items as symbolic gifts, gratitude or lots for raffles to support the Armed Forces.

Valeriia started turning "war materials" into art objects in 2015 / PHOTO courtesy of the interviewee 

This is now a permanent activity for Valeriia. She jokingly notes: "Ihave enough work, half the house is filled with material. " But the artist is never interested in how much money is seized for her products. She emphasizes that it's enough for her to know that her work is simply useful. For example, certain needs of our military in the Donetsk sector are being met, or a bomb shelter is being equipped in one of the Kherson children's centers. Instead, Valeria tells us what she paints. Her works include a helmet and a mug pierced by bullets, a 155 mm tube, and mine remnants. Despite the non-standard nature of the "canvas ", the girl does not change her style: she depicts Ukrainian ornaments, "Petrykivka", ethnic Slavic symbols, and portraits of literary figures.

Examples of the artist's works / PHOTO provided by the interviewee

"The stories are different, it all depends on the situation, the person's request and the material itself. One of the most touching orders was to paint small shell casings with the brigade's emblem, which the father of a fallen soldier gave to his son's comrades-in-arms in memory of him," Valeriia recalls.

And here's the answer to the question: "How do you create in conditions of constant danger?", the artist answers as follows: "It is difficult and at the same time very important. Air raids, shelling, forced power outages. All this affects the rhythm of my work. But it is these conditions that give my works a special depth and sincerity. You set yourself certain artistic tasks and find the resources to fulfill them, no matter what. Creativity becomes not just a way of self-expression, but also a form of internal resistance, a way to maintain "normality" in abnormal circumstances. "

Lines of memory

Valeriia looks for inspiration in her native Kherson, its streets, architecture and people, community support, communication with the military and volunteers.

"When you see what and who you live and create for, you get new energy," the artist says.

Another source of inspiration for her work is the national heritage: culture, history, traditions, myths and legends.

The artist has recently presented both themes at exhibitions in Mykolaiv and Kherson, combining the series of works "Architecture of the Frontline City " and "Ethnic Motifs"in the exposition . According to Valeriia, the first series of paintings is about the present, the war, our current experience, and the second is about the past, roots, and heritage. Together, they show that our culture is an unbroken line that stretches from our ancestors to us, and further into the future, even in the most difficult times.

The first painting in the series "Architecture of the Frontline City" / PHOTO provided by the interviewee

"The series "Architecture of the Frontline City" is an emotional map of Kherson, which lives despite the war. Familiar buildings, bridges, and monuments come to life on the canvases. They are depicted in a style that integrates architectural graphics with elements of futurism and constructivism. I use ink and liners, perspective and shading. In this way, abstract images are intertwined with real architectural forms, showing the contrast between the fragility of human emotions and the resilience of the city. These works are about a wounded but unconquered city, about memory, about the ability to survive," the artist says.

The first drawing in the series was an image of St. Catherine's Cathedral, which was damaged by Russian shelling. The work even differs from the subsequent ones by the color of the paper: white, not tinted. When the idea of the paintings was fully formed, the artist began to graphically depict not only the destroyed architectural places, but also those that were empty from the inside. For example, the city's museums, whose collections were taken by the Russian army during the so-called evacuation to the left bank of the Kherson region.

A work from the series "Architecture of a frontline city" / PHOTO courtesy of the interviewee

Currently, the series includes 13 drawings, but it is not complete. The work continues, and the artist does not know how many more Kherson buildings will be transferred to paper. The destruction of the city due to the actions of the Russian military, unfortunately, happens every day. "These paintings are a reflection of my state of mind about what is happening, my emotions and feelings, my vision of architecture from a different perspective. And it's also a reminder so that I don't forget how it used to be...", Valeria adds.

But the cycle of graphic works "Ethnic Motifs " was created much earlier and contains eight paintings. All of them highlight the images of women guardians in embroidered shirts with Old Slavic symbols, which are inherent in female energy and strength.

A work from the series "Ethnic Motifs"/ PHOTO provided by the interviewee

"This series is dedicated to ancient Slavic and Ukrainian sacred symbols that have been preserved in our culture. "Lunnytsia", "Ladynets", "Rozhanytsia ", etc. These amulets were part of our ancestors' lives, protecting, supporting, preserving memory and passing on knowledge. With my works, I strive to show the connection between contemporary Ukrainian culture and its deep pre-Christian roots, the balance between man and faith, the everyday and the sacred," explains our interlocutor.

In the future, the artist wants to create the second part of the cycle, exclusively with male characters. This process is not quick. Before doing so, Valeriia must conduct thorough and extensive research on the subject, using both the Internet and specialized scientific literature.

Lessons under fire

All the while, Valeriia also continues to work with children. She started teaching remotely during the Covid-19 pandemic, so it was not difficult to re-establish the online lesson format after February 24, 2022. It is currently impossible to return to offline learning due to the security situation in the city.

"I have a special tripod on which I fix the camera, so my hands are clearly visible in the frame. We analyze the sequence of stages of painting a still life, a portrait, a full-length person. We also look at the principle of perspective and so on. In general, we do different tasks on different topics. Of course, I would like to show it all clearly, but we have to work according to the circumstances," the artist explains.

Classes for children in shelters in Kherson / PHOTO provided by the interlocutor

She adds that the students have become accustomed to such conditions and have adapted to them. Valeriia's ability to draw quickly also helps. The artist manages to sketch situations on the children's sheets and then show them how to correct certain points where they made a mistake.

In addition, the artist held master classes in shelters in Kherson so that children could continue to create even in times of danger. She emphasizes that working with children is an inspiration and a great responsibility. "They are very sincere and direct, and art helps them to survive difficult events, teaches them to notice beauty and express themselves. For now, these events have been suspended due to the deteriorating security situation in the city.

The artist's exhibition in Mykolaiv / PHOTO courtesy of the interviewee

Valeriia says that she is not going to leave any sphere of life and will transform her work to meet any challenges. Currently, the artist is developing the idea of a new series of paintings related to the rethinking of the war experience and cultural heritage. She also plans to continue working with charitable organizations and develop exhibition activities both in Ukraine and abroad. Anything to make Kherson region heard, seen and known.

Theartist's exhibition in Kherson / PHOTO courtesy of the interviewee

"Culture is one of the pillars of forming and preserving our identity as one free people, without unnecessary fairy tales about 'one nation'. Art captures our experience, heals the soul, unites people, and passes on the memory to future generations. Even in times of war, it does not lose its power, but rather becomes even more important. Because it is our tool of support and resistance, our weapon of self-awareness and invincibility," summarizes Valeria Huran.

The work on this material was made possible by the Fight for Facts project, which is being implemented with the financial support of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Володимир Шкаєв, Яніна Надточа

The art of lines by Kherson artist Valeria Huran

<span><span><span><span><span><span>Creativity as inner resistance </span></span></span></span></span></span>

<span><span><span><span><span><span>Lines of memory</span></span></span></span></span></span>

<span><span><span><span><span><span>Lessons under fire </span></span></span></span></span></span>

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