Ukrainian artist sells works for war effort

Viktoriya Richardson from Canterbury has sold artwork to help the war effort in Ukraine

A Ukrainian artist who lives in Kent is selling her artwork to help the war effort in her home country.

Viktoriya Richardson from Canterbury has been creating patriotic paintings since the Russian invasion in 2022 and has raised thousands of pounds in sales and donations after exhibiting in local galleries.

The money raised has been used to buy a boat and vehicles for the Ukrainian military.

"They needed a little boat to make regular crossings over a river, so I bought them one and the army sent me a video of them using it. It makes me very happy to help," she said.

Viktoriya Richardson's paintings feature Ukrainian cities or women and girls in national dress

Ms Richardson previously worked as a teacher and a lawyer in her hometown of Odesa before moving to the UK in 2003 and taking up art.

She still has family living in the warzone who she speaks to everyday, but said "we do not talk about long term plans as nobody knows what will happen next".

Her paintings and collages feature women and girls in Ukrainian national dress or are representations of Kyiv, Odesa and Lviv before the conflict began.

"I've painted these figures to show the strength of our nation and culture," she said.

"By knowing I'm making my art, people in Ukraine know that they are not on their own. They have support and they will be heard."

The artwork captures the damage the conflict is having on the natural environment and those involved in it

After the fractious meeting in The White House between President Zelensky and President Trump, Ms. Richardson is urging the allies to resume working together.

"The situation is different and changes every single day," she said.

"I hope President Zelensky will find a way how to get help and Trump will have in his thoughts to help Ukraine."