The “Guardian Passage” is an installation intertwining figurative images with Ukrainian poetry. It stems from my response to the experiences of the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. “Guardian Passage” consists of 24 ceramic boat-shaped tiles that are suspended from the ceiling using red twine. These tiles form two rows with a passage for viewers between them. Each tile has two sides, one features a sgraffito image related to Motanka.
The image of Motanka, a traditional Ukrainian guardian doll, became emblematic of people standing together in defense of their land. The other side of the tile has an inscription of a Ukrainian poem associated with the image.