Since the onset of the war in Ukraine in February 2022, Ukrainian women have endured unimaginable challenges, marked by displacement, mental health struggles, economic instability, and vulnerability to violence. Despite these profound hardships, their resilience and spirit have shone through in countless ways, not least through their art. The war has displaced millions of Ukrainian women and children, with 8 million refugees fleeing the country and an additional 6.5 million internally displaced within its borders. This upheaval has fractured communities and forced women to navigate unfamiliar landscapes while grappling with acute stress and trauma. Studies reveal staggering rates of mental health challenges, with nearly all war-displaced Ukrainians showing symptoms of Acute Stress Disorder, and 30% of the population estimated to suffer from PTSD.

The economic and social fabric of Ukrainian life has been deeply altered. With men conscripted for military service, women have stepped into traditionally male-dominated industries, such as mining and heavy labor, while also facing widespread unemployment and poverty. Meanwhile, reports of sexual violence and the harrowing conditions faced by expectant mothers—giving birth in bomb shelters and basements—paint a stark picture of resilience amid adversity.

“She, Unbroken” presents the powerful and intimate voices of Ukrainian-born women artists who have endured the ravages of war and its indelible impact on identity, body, and spirit. The exhibition explores themes of displacement, reinvention, and transformation, delving into the ways conflict reshapes identity and creative expression. Each artist contributes a profound narrative, blending memory and survival in a tapestry of resilience and reinvention. This collection serves as a tribute to their unyielding strength and creativity—a testament to the enduring human spirit.

The exhibition invites viewers to reflect on the quiet strength of women navigating the aftermath of war, with works by Inna Kharchuk, Anna Veriki, Iryna Maksymova and Liza Zhdanova.