The Ukrainian Museum of Canada in Saskatoon is welcoming two new exhibits that will allow Saskatoon residents to glimpse the effects of war. ‘Doors: Through the Horrors of War’ is an installment by a Ukrainian artist named Ruslan Kurt.

Jen Budney, the museum’s Executive Director, says the exhibit is a collection of 13 damaged doors that actually came from schools, hospitals, and houses in three war-torn cities in Ukraine.  Viewers of the exhibit can see, and even smell, the extent of the damage, with the scent of charred wood filling the display room. The artist says the installation tells the stories of millions of Ukrainians who were forced to cross the doors of their homes to escape the war.   Many died without being able to get out.

The second exhibit is titled ‘Pysanky: Icons of the Universe’, and features hundreds of decorated eggs.  The display not only showcases the artistic talents of Ukrainian people, but also represents the resilience and bravery of Ukrainian people. The practice of making pysanky was banned during the Soviet era, and anyone caught doing it would be killed.  However, many Ukrainians continued the art in secret until it was decriminalized.  Pysanky is the tradition of Ukrainian Easter eggs.

The installation will be available to view until April 29th.  Ruslan Kurt is a Ukrainian artist based in Toronto. The museum is located at 910 Spadina Crescent Eeast.

Photo credit: artist Ruslan Kurt