We’re pleased to announce the release of Postcard for Ukraine – a new piece created by Gavin Mitchell. This postcard, which costs just £10, is available to buy in the gallery, or to add to your order online.
All proceeds will go directly to Eurohelp’s Aid for Women Fund, which is hard at work providing refuge and support to women and children from Ukraine that are in a critical life situation.
In today’s blog, we’re revealing more about Postcard for Ukraine, and how the proceeds will help to support the important work of the charity.
Gavin Mitchell
Gavin Mitchell is a London-based artist and photographer who reworks found objects to explore the relationship between East and West. Working with collage, photography and print, Mitchell takes the observer on a journey of discovery, testing preconceptions along the way.
Postcard for Ukraine depicts a geisha, proudly sporting a peace badge and holding a Ukrainian flag aloft in solidarity with the war-torn nation. We chatted to Mitchell, who revealed a little more about the piece:
‘Like everyone else I was keen to be able to do something to help raise funds and offer some support towards the awful humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. As a mixed-media artist with a narrative based style, I make visual statements through artworks that hopefully resonate.’
‘Using the Geisha image from a vintage postcard felt to me like a representation of the universal show of support around the world toward Ukrainians in the war with Russia. The composition is evocative of the socialist realism style of art in the USSR in the early 20th century, which amongst other things was designed to represent the emancipation of the common people - an ironic visual twist given that Russia are now seeking to conquer and enforce their will on an independent country.’
Eurohelp’s Aid for Women Fund
To help us choose a charity for these donations, we turned to local business owner, Anita Drozd, Founder of Youjuice in Hove, whose family hail from Ukraine.
Since February, Anita has been hard at work collecting funds and donations, including soft toys, blankets, colouring books and crayons, to be delivered to families as they arrive at the Ukrainian border with Poland. Anita explains:
‘My aim is to put a smile on children’s faces and to make an experience of arriving in a foreign country after an exhausting journey, just that little bit more bearable.’
We chatted to Anita about how she selected the charity, and how Enter Gallery patrons can help with future collections…
‘It is difficult to choose a charity when there are so many hard at work right now. I chose this one as it is local to where my family lives in Poland, close to the border with Ukraine. The charity specialises in helping mothers and children.’
‘At Easter, I am heading to Poland and will visit these charities. The plan is to discover what refugee families living in the area need the most. That way, I can ensure that the donated goods I collect are the most useful. When I return I will send out details of what people can donate.’
If you have items that you’re happy to donate – follow @youjuicecleanse on Instagram, and watch this space for information on how you can help.
The Future Is Now
If you’re looking for other ways to support this important cause, check out this recent release from Brighton-based artist, Bonnie and Clyde.
An artist known for ethereal mixed-media collages. £50 from every print sold goes directly to Eurohelp’s Aid for Women Fund.
