Fanny Leschevalier Exhibition “In Memoriam. Reality Through Art”
A project combining art, documentary, and charity
April 9–20, 2025
From April 9 to 20, 2025, the Museum of Kyiv History will host the exhibition of French artist Fanny Leschevalier, titled “In memoriam. Reality Through Art.” The exhibition is organized by the Solidarity charitable foundation, which focuses on the reconstruction of Ukraine and providing aid to those affected by the war. The initiative is supported by Leroy Merlin Ukraine and Dovgyi Family Office.
Fanny Leschevalier’s exhibition is a visual dialogue between the past and the present, between classical European painting and the realities of war in Ukraine. The artist works in photomontage, overlaying photographs from war correspondents onto reproductions of classical European paintings. Instead of familiar mythological or historical scenes, viewers see images of destroyed cities, as well as Ukrainian soldiers and civilians who have become victims of the war. The deeply symbolic juxtapositions create a sense of presence and evoke a powerful emotional response, prompting reflection on the cost of the struggle for freedom and the memory of that struggle.
The project has several objectives – to create a new informational occasion to draw the international community’s attention to the war in Ukraine and thereby mobilize additional support; to tell the stories of those affected by the war in order to convey the Ukrainian war experience as accurately as possible to the European audience; to demonstrate the EU’s support and solidarity with Ukraine; and to raise funds for the creation of an educational and rehabilitation hub. All proceeds from the sale of the artist’s works will be directed toward establishing Kyiv’s first educational hub, where patients will undergo educational and psychological rehabilitation.
“For me, it is a great honor to present my work in Ukraine – a country of courage and resistance. The Ukrainian people fight daily for their freedom, dignity, and values that unite us all. It is important to bear witness to this struggle and preserve its memory. My work is dedicated to this – and also to the photographers who give us access to this information. When war photographs are combined with classical Western paintings, the past merges with the present – the West enters into a dialogue with Ukraine. These juxtapositions transcend temporal and geographic boundaries, connecting us through emotions despite our cultural differences. Europe cannot remain a spectator: by raising awareness of the suffering of the Ukrainian people and sharing in their struggle, we reject indifference and choose the path to action. This exhibition carries a message of deep solidarity and a call for genuine support,” says the artist Fanny Leschevalier.
“The exhibition by Fanny Leschevalier is not just an artistic project, but an important act of cultural diplomacy that helps Europeans understand that the war in Ukraine is a tragedy for the entire civilized world. By combining classical painting with photographs of wartime realities, the exhibition speaks a universal language of emotions that can be understood anywhere in the world. We are proud that the Museum of Kyiv History became the first venue in Ukraine to host this exhibition – and we invite everyone to experience art that has the power to change the world,” emphasizes Diana Popova, General Director of the Museum of Kyiv History.
Project partners – Leroy Merlin Ukraine and Dovgyi Family Office.