Russia-Ukraine war

On the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, The Art Newspaper looks at the human and cultural costs of the conflict, the art world’s efforts to support displaced institutions and individuals, and how Ukraine’s built and artistic heritage has been used to tell the opposing narratives of war.

Italian culture sector divided on whether museums should impose tougher sanctions on Russia or continue dialogue

Former Uffizi gallery director calls for cultural sanctions against Russia saying it "would be a huge slap in the face [for] the regime"

The war in Ukraine: how often must history repeat itself?

Russian repression of the Ukrainian state has always been met with great resistance—this time is no different, says Maria Shust is the director of the Ukrainian Museum in New York

Is this year’s Venice Biennale an exhibition shaped by war?

In the wake of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, the Russian pavilion looks likely to remain empty, while the organisers of the Ukrainian pavilion battle to realise their project for Venice

'Our artists are responding to the war—they have been since 2014': the rise of documentaries in recent Ukrainian art

In an excerpt from our podcast interview, the Mexico-based Ukrainian artist and art historian Svitlana Biedarieva discusses shifts in recent Ukrainian art—and what happens now

For Ukrainian artists in the US, war rekindles ties to the homeland

Four Ukrainian women living in the US share how the Russian invasion has affected their work and moved them into action to help friends and family

Loansnews

France seeks to protect Russia's Morozov collection from seizure as masterpieces return home

Works were on loan to a blockbuster exhibition at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris

Helen Frankenthaler Foundation gives $2.5m in emergency grants to protect at-risk heritage and artists in Ukraine and beyond

The foundation’s grants will be distributed through partnerships with PEN America and the World Monuments Fund

Ukrainian cultural site where Tchaikovsky once composed music damaged by Russian forces

Town of Trostianets has pushed out the Russian army but has suffered widespread destruction

Chinaanalysis

China's Russia problem: will more international exhibitions be cancelled due to the countries' close ties?

Suspension of loans from state-run Musée Matisse le Cateau-Cambrésis for Beijing exhibition shocks Chinese art world

Finland seizes €42m of art en route back to Russia

The works had been on show in museums in Italy and Japan

Sophia Kishkovsky. with additional reporting by Riah Pryor

Ukrainian artist’s Venice exhibition to go ahead despite difficulties caused by war

Kyiv-based artist Zinaida was in Venice for a site visit when the invasion began and has been unable to return home

Russian artist stages protest performance against Bucha massacre

The unidentified artist is pictured in front of Moscow monuments laying face down, hands tied behind his back in a pose that has become synonymous with the atrocities

Book Clubfeature

In Pictures | Ukraine before the 2022 Russian invasion, from holidaymakers in Odesa to the frontlines of Mariupol

Mark Neville’s new photobook—of images taken over the past six years—is a call to action that has been sent to hundreds of politicians and other influential people around the world

Shipping costs are skyrocketing—and galleries are expected to be hit hard

Oil price increases and the inability to fly over Russian airspace has made sending art abroad, especially between East Asia and Europe, much more expensive

The British Museum's NFT project has sent its carbon footprint soaring

Since the London museum began selling digital versions of works from its collection last September, it has emitted enough carbon to power an average US home for at least 57 years

Photographer chronicles the destruction of the 'Ukrainian Stalingrad'

Stanislav Ostrous has been risking his life to photograph the architecture of Kharkiv, one of the first Ukrainian cities to be attacked by Russian forces

Isolated by Russia boycotts, Hermitage director calls for 'cultural bridges between the nations'

Mikhail Piotrovksy, who has been criticised for his silence on the war in Ukraine, says the museum will continue its international projects outside Europe

Sanctions on Russian oligarchs put focus on assets and art stowed away in Swiss freeports

Legal loopholes of secretive customs complexes are in the spotlight again as pressure ramps up on Russian owned assets

Unesco under pressure to pull world heritage meeting from Russia

UK culture minister, Auschwitz Memorial and Europa Nostra call for the June event to be relocated following Russian invasion of Ukraine

Has the art market recovered? A deep dive into the Art Basel/UBS report

Plus, an exhibition about wartime hideouts in Poland and Ukraine, and Mondrian’s final work Victory Boogie Woogie

Hosted by Ben Luke. with guest speaker Melanie Gerlis. Produced by Julia Michalska, David. Clack, Aimee Dawson and Henrietta Bentall
Sponsored byChristie's

Hermitage branch in Amsterdam rebrands after cutting ties with Russia

The venue has reopened with an exhibition series focusing on Dutch masterpieces, starting with Vermeer’s Milkmaid

Berlinnews

How a Berlin artist-led collective is helping Ukraine’s marginalised refugees

Bridges over Borders aims to address structural disadvantages faced by BiPOC and LGBTQ+ refugees

Ukrainian government sells NFTs combining art and tweets to fund army

The drop comes from the Meta History Museum of War, the official collection of Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation

Art marketanalysis

The G7 countries have banned art exports to Russia—we asked legal experts what this really means

While it is still legal to sell art to a Russian individual, conducting business with anyone on a sanctions list could result in fines or a prison sentence

‘Let’s stop this war’: the plight of Ukrainian gallerists and what they are doing to help their artists

Following the Russian invasion, some art dealers and their artists have left the country, some have stayed—but all are finding ways to help their compatriots

Letter from the editor | 'Culture can build bridges, but it can also man the barricades'

As the war in Ukraine unfolds, The Art Newspaper continues to strive to make its coverage truthful, informative, illuminating and impactful, says its editor Alison Cole

Sotheby’s and Ketterer Kunst among auction houses to ban some Russian buyers

The move comes as the art market steps up its due diligence

Riah Pryor. With additional reporting by Sophia Kishkovsky and Anna Brady

'Ukrainian culture is alive as long as there are people ready to defend it'

Art workers in the war-torn country have created a territory of hope amid the terror of war

Culture in the crossfire: Ukraine's key monuments and museums at risk of destruction in the war

Museum staff, heritage custodians and volunteers are racing against time to safeguard the country's cultural treasures, many of which, ironically, are connected to Russia

French museums rally to protect art collections in Ukraine with truckload of emergency supplies

A delivery of 15 tonnes of donated packing and conservation materials was organised by Icom France