For three decades, photographer Lida Suchy has been traveling to the Ukrainian village of Krivorivnya, documenting the lives and culture of its residents along the way.
“It was just a really wonderful time to be together with people and to listen to them," Suchy said. "You know, the picture-making is a short thing in the whole process. I really meet the people and talk to them and get to know them.”
Now the Central New York community is meeting them too. Her new exhibit “Portrait of a Village, Ukraine" is on display at ArtRage gallery in Syracuse. The images offer a different perspective of Ukraine than the war-torn photos that have been making headlines since Russia launched its attack nearly a year ago.
The exhibit's weekend launch drew a packed house, and featured The Kalyna Vocal Ensemble singing traditional Ukrainian Christmas carols.
Vocalist Diana Melnycheko said this exhibit gives people a deeper understanding and connection with Ukraine.
"Right now, there is war in Ukraine and we need support of Ukraine because so many people don’t understand why in Ukraine right now there is war," Melnycheko said.
Suchy said she hopes her work will reveal more of the Ukrainian identity beyond scenes of destruction and despair amid the conflict with Russia.
“One of the things that I’m trying to show with this exhibit is that this is a culture that’s been there before and that it can’t be erased,” Suchy said.
Suchy’s exhibit runs through March 11. She will be back Feb. 9 for an artist talk.
