SPOKEN STATE UKRAINE - VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY
We Are Here / Kyiv, 25 February 2022
ABOUT THE PAINTING
Words from Volodymyr Zelensky’s “We Are Here” address are drawn and painted by hand to form the Ukrainian flag. From a distance, the blue and yellow are immediately recognisable. Up close, the lettering reveals a declaration of presence and solidarity—words spoken in Kyiv as the full-scale invasion began.
Original painting: acrylic on aluminium composite panel.
Print EDITIONS
Signed and numbered archival pigment prints of the original paintings, produced in limited editions and available in two sizes. Each print is supplied unframed.
Process
The aluminium panel is prepared, primed and painted white. Using a T-square and pencil, I map Zelensky’s words across the two horizontal bands of the Ukrainian flag. The lettering and surrounding colour are painted by hand in acrylic, gradually building the image in blue and yellow.
Historical Context
On 25 February 2022, the day after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky recorded a short video in Kyiv alongside members of his leadership team.
His message affirmed that they remained in the capital and would defend Ukraine’s independence. The repeated declaration, “We are here”, made their presence itself an act of resistance.
In this painting, those words form the Ukrainian flag, bringing national identity and the determination to remain into the same image.
Volodymyr Zelensky — We Are Here
Kyiv, Ukraine, 25 February 2022
ORIGINAL PAINTING
For availability and enquiries about the original painting, please contact Gary.