VISUAL NARRATIVES OF RESISTENCE : GRAPHIC ART AS A FORM OF PROTEST IN THE CONTEXT OF THE RUSSO-UKRAINIAN WAR

Abstract

The russo-Ukrainian war following the full-scale invasion in 2022, has fundamentally reshaped Ukraine’s cultural landscape and catalyzed an intense evolution of artistic expression. This article examines Ukrainian graphic art as a potent medium of protest and cultural resistance. Due to its inherent mobility and flexibility, graphic art has emerged as a primary tool for documenting traumatic experiences, exploring national identity, and reclaiming historical memory in the face of aggression.

The research analyzes various visual narratives of resistance through several thematic lenses: the reinterpretation of historical paradigms to counter imperial propaganda, the motif of the search for lost homes and reclaiming identity among displaced Ukrainians, and archiving trauma, which serves as an act of defiance. By exploring the works of artists P. Makov, M. Vaisberh, N. Kadan, M. Polovinko, and more, the author highlights how contemporary graphics bridge the gap between tradition and modern visual codes. Furthermore, the study addresses the philosophical tension between universal pacifism and the pursuit of a just peace, arguing that art grounded in truth becomes a vital force in the struggle for justice. The article demonstrates that the Ukrainian graphic art archives reality and actively forges new symbols, becoming a crucial frontier in the defense of cultural resilience and the nation's future.