The artist took the job despite the danger.
Australian artist Guido van Helten completed work on a large-scale wall painting – mural – in the town – the East Ukrainian town, where for two and a half years do not stop fighting between government troops and Russian-backed separatists.
Since the beginning of the conflict in the region has already killed more than 9600 people. Photographer Amos Chapple has received exclusive access to an art project that some local residents had provoked reactions of bewilderment, others sincere enthusiasm.
Clad in a flak jacket and ballistic helmet ,Guido van Helten working on a portrait of a local resident
Before you begin, Guido walked to the local school and photographed 73 year old teacher Marina Marchenko. He once saw her in the picture, decided that he wanted to paint her portrait.
“I just saw those kind eyes. I want to reflect the character of the people living here”.
Before you begin, Guido walked to the local school and photographed 73 year old teacher Marina Marchenko. He once saw her in the picture, decided that he wanted to paint her portrait. “I just saw those kind eyes. I want to reflect the character of the people living here”.
Guido chose the building, the wall facing directly to the front line, but was forced to abandon this option after it was reported that his workers could detect the separatists.
The long search for another suitable property has been inconclusive, and the artist has decided to work according to the original plan. First Australian working in the conflict zone.
Ukrainian soldiers watches as Guido van Helten getting ready for work.
About 100 metres from the building, running baths Helten, is a Ukrainian military checkpoint where cars were searched.
Work begins on the portrait. Guido van Helten explains that he has political motives. “Who am I to judge and make statements about such a complex situation…? Honestly, I think that by going through the front line, would have seen the same thing, the same children in the classroom…. There is no question of good and evil”.
Traces of artillery or tank shells are everywhere around the place where the artist works. The building in which he works, empty 2014. Then in one of the apartments was hit by a rocket “Grad”, two residents died.
Guido says that a long-delayed project implementation. The idea had been born while held in March 2016 in Kiev, the art-project “Art United Us”.
Working, Guido uses the camera in your phone. The artist says that used to be on top. “I think people are seeing that risk until you see the result, I doubt that you will get something good.”
“These people probably have never seen… If I can get them to think about something other than war, even for a short time, it’s worth it”.
The woman from the bus window looking at coming into the fullness of the picture. People’s reaction was mostly positive … one soldier even said to Guido: “”I love you! “. But the two local women became interested in why the lift is not being used for the repair of the destroyed apartments. One elderly woman said, “my roof hole, through pouring rain, and then you just paint a picture? Guys, it’s not right.”
For painting used a special gray paint twenty-four shades. Van Helten says: “there is a perception that this art form is very expensive and requires large costs for projects like this, I get nothing, I give my time.” Coordinator of the project “Art United Us” geo Leros said that buying the paint, moving and rental lift was paid for by private sponsors.
Guido listens after a strong explosion thundered nearby. In those two days when he created the painting, the evening did not cease the roar of mortars and the roar of machine-gun fire. In a few minutes after was taken this shot, Guido said, “if the separatists broke through the front line or anything like that… we would have said, right?”
The artist assured that he is out of range of snipers, but Guido van Helten decided to wait for nightfall to do the painting on the highest and most open part of the wall.
After the first day of Guido said that to celebrate yet. “I need to focus on how to do the rest, and … not die.”
One of the apartments of the house, where he worked for Guido, destroyed by the missiles hit “Grad” in 2014.
From the sky pours rain and falling mortar shells, Guido is on the road to appreciate his painting in the distance.
The portrait is finished. The work of Guido van Helten huge, carries the benefit event for a small town. The artist left town, and the locals began to converge to become now unique home and photographed on his background.
