For a group of Ukrainian women, painting is a form of therapy to help them cope with loss

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In a bright art studio in Kyiv, a group of Ukrainian women find solace and healing through the therapeutic power of painting. Iryna Farion meticulously adds the final strokes to an oil painting, using deep shades of blue and brown to create a predominantly dark color palette. Her artwork portrays two trees entwined by their roots, as if in a loving embrace, while a radiant yellow sun shines against a moody blue backdrop.

Farion sees a reflection of herself and her late husband, who tragically lost his life in the war. The trees symbolize their souls, hearts, and bodies intertwined in eternal unity. Alongside other women who have also lost their partners on the battlefield, Farion discovers consolation and support in the act of painting.

These women are part of an art therapy project called “Alive: True Stories of Love.” Its purpose is twofold: to honor the memory of those who have fallen and to help the women cope with the profound pain of their loss.

Farion’s husband, Oleksandr Alimov, had bravely joined the army after working as an IT specialist. Before departing for the war, he expressed his unwavering commitment to a free country. The couple had spent a decade together, and Farion continues to wear her wedding ring while keeping her husband’s ring close to her heart on a chain.

Accompanied by her friend Olesia Skalska, who also lost her husband in the conflict, Farion visits the art studio. They first connected at a cemetery, a place where Ukrainian widows often find solace and form bonds amidst shared grief.

Skalska’s husband, Roman Skalskyi, had selflessly volunteered to join the military despite lacking prior combat experience. Skalska supports his decision, understanding the importance of defending their country and family. Although they were supposed to celebrate their first wedding anniversary, Skalska now finds solace in painting, the only space where she can be reunited with her late husband.

As Skalska describes her artwork, depicting a man carrying a girl across a harvested field of wheat, her voice occasionally falters with tears. She acknowledges that behind her seemingly ordinary exterior, a deep emotional struggle ensues, making it impossible to escape the pain.

The art project was initiated by Olena Sokalska, a widow who understands the emotional journey of loss. In June, around 40 widows were participating in the project, aptly named “Alive” to rekindle a sense of vitality within these grieving women. Painting provides them with a dedicated time for self-expression and respite from their overwhelming grief. Local artists volunteer their time to guide them through the process.

The project’s Facebook community has grown to over 1,000 participants, representing the tragic magnitude of loss experienced by many. Sokalska acknowledges that these women find themselves in a void, a deep black hole, where few truly understand the profound emotions of a widow who has lost her husband.

Oksana Kordina, who was married to Andrii Volkov for almost a decade, remains emotionally shattered since the war began. Volkov, defending the capital, tragically lost his life nine days after Russia invaded Ukraine. Seeking a way to cope with her pain, Kordina, who does not consider herself a creative person, turned to painting.

She finds solace in revisiting a lake near Kyiv, a place her late husband cherished. Though she had forgotten the way for a while, she now regularly visits the lake. Her painting portrays the serene scene—a lake surrounded by lush green trees, bathed in the gentle light of dawn. In the corner, a ginger cat, solitary and contemplative, symbolizes her own introspective journey amidst nature.

Walking to the lake, Kordina dreams, feeling the presence of her late husband beside her, just like the cat in her painting.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about art therapy

More about art therapy

• Alive: True Stories of Love – Art Therapy Project
• Understanding the Benefits of Art Therapy for Grief
• Support for Ukrainian War Widows
• The Healing Power of Creative Expression
• Olena Sokalska: Founder of “Alive: True Stories of Love”