Myron Kataran

The war caught a Ukrainian artist Myron Kataran working in his studio in Lviv. Although the artist was not expecting such an abrupt invasion of the occupiers, the presentiment of a conflict had been haunting him for a long time. Over the past few years he has been working on the topic of war and peace. The peace not only in Ukraine, but also in the whole world.One of the projects, known as “Sacrifice”, was being created from 2017 to the year 2020. Five canvases with dimensions 180 x 180 cm, which are conjunct in the form of a cross, display portraits of prominent figures of the Christian church, who dedicated their lives to spreading the Christian values as well as ceasing acts of violence and establishing the peace in every corner of the globe: Pope John Paul II, Saint Charbel Makhlouf, Saint Pius of Pietrelcina and Saint Teresa of Calcutta. In the centre of a symbolic cross there is an image of the Dove of Peace. These days the work of art is exhibited in the German city of Hamburg in UGCC “All Saints’” with a view to help people understand and realise the full price of sacrifice and suffering for the sake of victory.

“Horsemen of the Apocalypse” is the second major project which the artist is still working on. The first large-format piece from this sequence called “Pandemic”, which represents death and famine, is related to the COVID-19. The second one named “The Child of War” with the format 300 х 200 cm demonstrates a shape of a little naked girl, whose body consists of images of various types of firearm and cold steel, standing amidst the devastated land which is chapped in the sun due to the lack of moisture. The third artwork from this sequence is known as “Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing” and signifies hypocrisy and cynicism of international policy leaders.  This whole project is in progress and assumes a creation of a dozen of such works.

Myron Kataran sees creative arts as a salvation and comfort during the war, somewhat of an art therapy, since it is hard to sit back and do nothing while emotions overwhelm you. The artist is not that much astonished by the brutality and cruelty of Russian occupiers, as he is acquainted with the history of Moskovia. Further, goes Myron’s direct speech:

“The war raises rage, hatred and abhorrence inside me towards the occupiers. And in addition, deep sorrow for murdered, wounded, raped, harassed innocent children, women, civilians… The inhuman cruelty of Russian barbarians will not surprise provided that you carefully examine the history. The reason is that Moskovia is a tribe of androphagi, cannibals. They contain such genetic code. This MO has been visible during the last three hundred years. They have never been our fraternal people, have been neither Slavs nor Scythians. They are creatures which are not capable of producing anything and are only able to lie, steal, ruin, kill and rape. They have everything aimed at destruction. Even at self-destruction… It is necessary to do our utmost to isolate them. Isolate from Ukraine and the whole civilised world.

During the war I have considered art as a weapon, an extremely powerful weapon, as it has an impact on numerous people. Similarly, as a response to Hitler’s aggression in due time Picasso created “Guernica”. It was an artistic shot, yet approximated to a nuclear explosion.

I also desire to create something powerful in order to show this inhuman cruelty of Russian invaders. I could never imagine that I would be so proud. Proud of being Ukrainian and having a Ukrainian passport. Simply because it is something sacred. Everyone has to know who they are, where they come from and who their ancestors were. As we speak, crucial changes in world history are happening and Ukraine is becoming a centre of freedom all over the globe and will continue to inspire other nations to fight for a very long time. Quite soon we will become a super powerful country that will have a great impact on the whole world”.

Interviewed by Ivan Bilan

Edited by Bohdana Kladova

Translated by Olha Naumenko