Under the Surface

Lera Litvinova is a Ukrainian visual artist and art curator, and an EMBracing the Ocean artist-in-resident. Lera is the founder of Lera Litvinova Gallery in Kyiv. She supports an active position in the development of Ukrainian culture, and is a participant and curator of social projects actively implementing the principle of cultural diplomacy to strengthen cultural relations. As an EMBracing the Ocean artist, she is creating new work co-designed with scientists to look at the impact of the war on marine pollution in the Black Sea as part of her Under the Surface project. This project investigates the influence of the military actions on Black Sea ecosystems and sustainable development. She will look at questions including: what consequences will war bring to marine life in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov? How will cities will be reconstructed, and can we rebuild with a new attitude towards nature? She is developing paintings and installations built on objects found in rivers and seas that play significant roles in marine pollution. The work aims to bring the consequences of the war on marine pollution to the attention of the public. It will enable an honest dialogue with viewers on changes in ecology and society, and possibilities of restoration of both cities and underwater life. The work will be exhibited in galleries and cultural institutions and promoted through local media outlets.