Babushkas, by Lesia Sochor

We are honored to display the gorgeous Babushka paintings created by Lesia Sochor in the Michael Khlar Center. The images above are currently on display at the Michael Klahr Center.

Writes Lesia about her paintings:

Love of my ancestral homeland and horror at the merciless, brutal unprovoked invasion of Ukraine compelled me to paint images of Babushkas. This iconic symbol of a culture stirs memories of my mother, who in her later years wore one most every day.

The images plead to have peace and freedom in their beloved country. A beleaguered nation that has endured a traumatic history, but one which, since 1992, has embraced democracy and independence. A nation which was building on the principles of political, social and religious freedoms. A nation who wanted to pursue peace, who gave up its nuclear weapons. A nation wanting to steer its own course with dignity. A nation with a president who cares for his people; for making Ukraine productive, prosperous and progressive. A nation rich in culture and traditions. A nation of joyous hard working people.

I am filled with pride at being Ukrainian. I am thankful to my immigrant refugee parents, who in the Philadelphia diaspora, continued the language and traditions which I have carried on with my own children. I am reliving their stories as I listen and watch the dreadful devastation of an unsuspecting country.

I condemn this war, I condemn the man behind it. The unthinkable is happening and my heart breaks. Slava Ykraina