Portrait for Ukraine

PROGRAMME

• Get Your Portrait - with just you, your family or with pets
• Watch the Photo Exhibit
• Make Flower Crowns with Us
• Enjoy Refreshments provided by Reineta
• Listen to Cool Ukrainian Music
• Buy Souvenirs
• Network
• Have a Good Time

Places for the Photo Session are limited, so please register early to secure your place.

Otherwise just come to see the exhibit, listen to the music and have some light refreshments with us!

Book your tickets via Eventbrite

ABOUT THIS EVENT

On Friday 16 August, VIKTORIA CHIKALO will offer her high quality portraits in return for charitable donations at the OPEN Ealing Arts Centre in London. She would like to dedicate this day to support traumatised people who are undergoing treatment and social adaptation in the 'Unbroken' Rehabilitation Center in Ukraine. Many of them lost everything: relatives, home, childhood, health.. and yet - they remained Unbreakable. Unlike anywhere else in Ukraine, 'Unbroken' is a unique ecosystem of humanity that unites more than a dozen projects. They provide a wide range of services including treatment, prosthetics, physical and psychological rehabilitation, housing and reintegration.

"To me personally, the word 'unbreakable' has deeper meaning, it's more than just hanging on and looking strong, it's about being true to yourself, being seen, heard, and understood. I think the greatest strength of the human spirit is in acceptance."

Time: 10:30am - 3:00 pm

Place: OPEN Ealing Arts Centre, Unit 14 Dickens Yard, London, England W5 2TD

The suggested minimal donation for the Photo Session is £100.

In return for a charitable donation, you will receive two edited high-resolution portraits in a mix of colour and black and white. It could be a personal portrait, family or with your pets.

If you're just attending - it's FREE and we'd be grateful for any donation.

All proceeds will go in support of the UNBROKEN Rehabilitation Centre in Ukraine.

If you are unable to join us on 16th August but are willing to support this project, you can do so by using a DONATION option.

The event is organised with the support of UAID International and Open Age Ealing. Light refreshments are kindly provided by Reineta

We look forward to seeing you!

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Viktoria Chikalo is a photographer and visual artist. She was born in Lviv, Ukraine. She has been living in London since May 2022. This year her work, with reflection on vulnerability, won an award at the Portrait of Britain competiion held by the British Journal of Photography and was exhibited across the UK. She held her first exhibition featuring black and white portraits of Ukrainian refugee women and children at the Roseslottet Art Museum in Oslo. She continues to explore themes of identity through portrait, documentary and fine art photography.

"I have to say that this day, 16 August, is personal and has a deep meaning for me. It is my birthday and it is also the day when I lost my father who died last year. I call this 'day of rebirth'. I want to make this day filled with compassion, gratitude and joy. I want it to be a day of giving. I am going to visit the 'Unbroken' Center in early September and will be able to share the results of your support with you. I believe that I'll be able to continue with this project in the future."

In her work, Viktoria is trying "to find new ways of connecting and seeing each other through art, and together contribute the bridge of hope and meaning to a new life."