New exhibition to explore stories from Winchester’s Ukrainian community
A new exhibition exploring stories from Ukrainians who have become part of Winchester’s community since February 2022 will open to the public on 25 May at the Nutshell Arts CIC.
The exhibition, created by British photographer Lottie Stevenson with support from Winchester City Council, focuses on the personal impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, exploring its effects on individuals and families.
Entitled Home is Another Country, the exhibition shares accounts of hope, humour and inspiration, featuring portraits and still-life images that, while exposing the challenges of wartime migration, also aim to highlight the resilience of the human spirit.
Speaking about the exhibition, its creator, Lottie Stevenson, said:
“I wanted this work to offer a different perspective from mainstream media which has generally illustrated the refugee crisis by showing huge crowds of people. It’s hard to identify with big groups, but when we learn about the impact of the conflict on an individual level, it’s more relatable. Everyone in Ukraine has been affected by the war, but so differently. In this project I wanted to show each person as an individual, with a unique story."
Cllr Kathleen Becker, Winchester City Council Cabinet Member for Community and Engagement, said:
"Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine two years ago, those Ukrainians who have come to Winchester escaping war have become a vibrant and supportive part of Winchester’s community. This exhibition is a really important opportunity to hear their stories and take inspiration from their resilience in the face of hardship”
“I'm really pleased that we’ve been to provide a small token of support to Lottie in her efforts to highlight the stories of Ukrainians who have made a home in our district.”
The exhibition is open to the public from Saturday 25 May to Thursday 6 June.
Full details can be found on the Nutshell Arts CIC website www.thenutshellwinchester.com/shows-and-events/home-is-another-country