Show courage in Ukraine with a handful of clay

This article is part of our design department about the reverence of handmade things.

In late August 2020, eight human statues appeared in a quiet corner of the St. Sofia area in the Kiev preservation area, a 12 -acre museum complex concentrated on the Cathedral of Saint Sovia, who is thousands of people. The “shadows” are called clay and fracture statues-each of which are anonymous and ghost, with the shape of the transplanted Torsolike on a cylindrical base-before Yuri Merko, co-founder of the Gorne Ceramic Festival in Kiev for the annual Bouquet Kiev festival.

“People who keep the cathedral decided to love statues and suggested keeping them there.” Bougdan Krifouchi, 30, who founded Journal with Mr. Merko, 41, is the creative director of the studio. “The exhibition was only for a week or so, but the statues remained there for about three years.”

The “shadows” were characterized by a turning point for Jorn, which had mostly produced utilitarian elements such as vases and vessels. The numbers reflected ideas on human relations, death and spirituality. Since their appearance, Gorn has continued to produce emotional art pieces along with its practical shows. The war intensifies with Russia and the inability to predict the future, the studio product is a testimony of creative freedom and flexibility in the face of unimaginable hardship.

Mr. Kryvosheya and Mr. Myrko met in 2017, and a third partner, SASHA MYCHAK, they created Gorn the following year to produce the ceramic table tools that they and other artists designed.

Two years after the company’s start, the Covid-19 bouquet struck; Then, two years after those Russian forces invaded Ukraine. Despite the challenges resulting from the invasion – limited access to resources, unstable electrical supply, obstacles to shipping, travel and risks looming on the horizon in recruitment – GORN thrives. This is partially due to the means of low-energy production-human hands that make up local clay, which are baked in wood-operating ovens-in part to an international market.

It also helps her teamwork. By working with Mr. Kryvosheya and Mr. Myrko (Mr. Mychak is no longer with the studio), three artists are cut off under the Gorn sticker while they also practice independently: Yaroslav Honchar created Gorn’s East Wind Group-Minimum, and green games.

Yuriy Sulikovsky contributed to the flame vase, which wood release at highly slope temperatures for many hours so that smoke and ash interacts with clay, resulting in lines and DAPLES. DMYTRO Yakub works as Mr. Myrko, as it helps in daily operations and contribute to several different groups.

“There is nothing impossible in ceramics thanks to the Gorn skill and technical capabilities,” said Sana Moro, an art dealer who sells studio pieces at the design store under the Ukrainian title in Paris. (Prices range from $ 45 for a bowl to $ 12,000 for sculptures.)

Mrs. Moro, who immigrated from Ukraine to France in 2021, said that she works with more than twenty Ukrainian designers and studios. She said, “It can be implemented even the most complicated and unusual ideas for modern interiors. One of their strengths is ceramic statues that address complex philosophical topics.”

Like many home commodity producers worldwide, Mr. Kryvosheya said that the epidemic was a blessing for his company. People who were stuck at home all over the locks imposed by the government are keen to improve their homes.

Perhaps less predictable was that the months that followed Russia were profitable as well. In addition to Maryu, Gorn was represented by many international exhibitions and retail dealers in design before the world’s eyes are sympathetic to Ukraine.

“When the invasion occurred widely, that was one of the operators for them to get our pieces,” said Mr. Criffoshia.

The lights on the Ukrainian design are dim. Mrs. Moro has estimated that Ukrainian design exports have grown at least three times for her customers since February 2022.

She said, “Things were not purchased out of compassion, but simply because they are more clear.” The designers who refused to allow fear obstruct their lives were their hearts in their art. “For the first time we really had something to offer him European and American markets.”

The terrible conditions are that the Journal looks beyond his commercial interests to care for the local arts community. “Our goals have deepened, as a general desire to create unique pieces exceeded a broader mission represented in promoting creative and cultural growth,” said Mr. Krifusia.

Last year, a school was opened to study each aspect of ceramic, including how Clay could be an expressive means, or an electrode of daily life in wartime.

About 40 students joined the workshops. “Many elderly people” have successful jobs in technology and business. They finally want to do something for their soul. “

He is optimistic about what he described as life challenges. He said, “You have nothing if you continue to sit at home and cry all the time.” “Our chances of death are higher than before, but what can we do? Nothing, but just go forward.”