Exhibition of Ukraine artists held at university dormitory

The Yomiuri Shimbun

1:00 JST, July 4, 2022

An exhibition of five contemporary Ukrainian artists has opened at the atelier of the Tokyo University of the Arts’ dormitory in Adachi Ward, Tokyo, with the aim of supporting artists in Ukraine.

The exhibition, titled “With Peace,” is organized by Shuhei Fukuda, a graduate student at the university. In 2019, Fukuda, 25, submitted his work, with his father Atsuo, 64, to an art exhibition held at a national art museum in Kyiv, and afterward, Atsuo kept in touch with artists in Ukraine.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a concerned Atsuo sent emails to Ukrainian artists. The artists have not escaped the effects of the war, and it has been difficult for them to pursue their artistic activities. Thinking to do something to support the artists, Shuhei joined the exchanges and suggested an exhibition in Japan.

At the atelier, about 70 pieces that have arrived via international postal service, including 13 two-dimensional art pieces and a photo showing a destroyed tank, are displayed.

“Being here, I felt how indispensable it is to have an environment in Japan where we can devote ourselves to art,” said a junior at the university who came to see the exhibition. “I realized I need to be more aware of the Ukraine situation.”

The exhibition, which runs through July 23, is open from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free, but donations to support artists in Ukraine are accepted. Pinback buttons and postcards produced by local artists and others based on the image of the Ukrainian flag will be given out for donations of ¥1,000 or more.