I have created a set of graphics inspired by my relatives' stories of the first weeks of full-scale Russian invasion into Ukraine. The series contains six pieces. Actually I made them in the heat of the moment, fueled by intense emotions. However, as time passed and I reviewed them with a fresh perspective, it became evident that the remaining four were below average.
the story beyond
"The war erupted right here in my city. Sirens are blaring every single day, prompting my mom to seek refuge in the basement. Unfortunately, that basement is full of rats and filled with filthy canal water.
My mom is scared of rats, so sometimes her anxiety gets the best of her, and she turns to hydazepam for relief. As a result she just lies in the corridor, not hearing the rockets, sirens, or my desperate calls. Her post-hydazepam dreams, however, are deep and vivid.
She buried important documents in our yard, so just in case I could find them. Among these documents are her diplomas. Does she think I'll need them one day?
Sleep is elusive for me as well. When I do manage to drift off, nightmares haunt me. Some nights, I see a dark scenario where Putin is trying to rape my granny, and I'm left to defend her. After all, I wake up to the news that my grandmother has passed away, and a strange sense of relief washes over me. At least, I don't have to worry about her anymore.
I am worrying about my father, who is stationed at the frontlines, guarding our border. I've crafted a chevron for him, so we can identify his hand, just in case.
In his youth, he used to tend to cows. Now, he recounts stories of the same cows meeting explosive fates on landmines. Fireworks are something beautiful."
