The auction took place from February 27 to March 6, 2022, through my Instagram profile. The entire amount raised from the sale of the painting was donated to UNICEF to support children affected by the war in Ukraine.
Today, the painting is part of the private collection of the auction winner, Tomasz Olchowik, serving not only as a work of art but also as a reminder of a collective effort to help those in need.
The events of February 24th inspired me to create the painting „Thirst.” The painting depicts a glass from a popular IKEA store, half-filled with milk. Next to the glass is a box of milk, referring to the colours of the Ukrainian flag. The colors of the box in the lower part are a reflection of the Slavic folk costumes found in Ukrainian. The shadow behind the milk box depicts a soldier wearing a helmet, while the shadow from the glass looks like prison bars. The glass shown in the painting is one of IKEA’s bestsellers, which is manufactured in Russia. With this element I wanted to draw attention to the greed of the authorities of partitioned Russia. Depending on how you look at the glass, you can tell if it is half full or half empty. Showing the situation in Ukraine with the help of everyday objects and a frame from the kitchen countertop is to point out how much such situations affect everyday life, how stress translates into doing the simplest things at home or work. At some point, we are unable to escape with our thoughts to a safe place, through the rush of information and danger from all sides.