The traumatic experiences of the many animals left behind in Ukraine are being acknowledged in a moving artwork which is among those on display at a special event opening in Southport.
Southport Artists For Ukraine is inviting everyone to support its special art exhibition and art sale which will take place at Southport Market in Southport town centre from this Thursday (7th April) until Sunday (10th April).
Dozens of local artists have donated their art to the public event, with all proceeds raised going to help those in Ukraine whose lives have been devastated by war.
The fundraisers have also set up a fundraising page allowing people to donate, while there are some superb raffle prizes on offer.
Among works of art on sale is this moving work, entitled – ‘For The People Of Ukraine And Their Animals’.
It has been created by acclaimed local artist Sandie Henderson, and depicts the moving expression of a horse, with a family of refugees fleeing in the background, set against a Ukraine flag.
Sandie is an artist specialising in contemporary equine art who was born in Cumbria but is currently based in rural West Lancashire.
Southport Artists For Ukraine organiser Tony Wynne said: “I studied with Sandie at Southport Arts College, I am delighted she is joining us at the Southport Artists For Ukraine exhibition at Southport Market.
“The thing about her painting, is that as an acclaimed equine artist, Sandie has been involved with the charities which have been helping the horses, the dogs, the cats and the other animals which have been left behind amidst all the turmoil in Ukraine.
“The idea of this work is that the horse’s eyes are just so expressive. The horse is watching a family fading away into the distance as they are forced to flee their home in Ukraine as the war unfolds, leaving the poor horse to its own unknown fate.
“The central theme of this is what are we doing, and what can we do, for all the refugees, whether they are human beings or animals, who are being displaced by the war in Ukraine.”
Sandie Henderson’s work, ‘For The People Of Ukraine And Their Animals’, is among hundreds of works of art which are being put on display to raise money for the victims of the war in Ukraine.
Southport Artists For Ukraine opens this evening (Thursday, 7th April) at the Southport Market Events Hall.
Visitors will be able to enjoy four days of art exhibitions, art sales, poetry, music and performance, from Thursday, 7th April to Sunday, 10th April.
All money raised from the event will go towards helping people fleeing the war in Ukraine.
The event has been put together in just four weeks by a team dedicated to supporting Ukrainian people displaced and affected by the conflict in their country.
One of the organisation team, Tony Wynne, has outlined just who has been involved in the event and what they aim to achieve.
He said: “We have all seen the crisis in Ukraine unfold over the last four weeks and it is the worst refugee crisis since the Second World War. It was the media images and news feeds that spurred a group of us into action.
“We are all from different backgrounds: Serena Silcock-Prince from Silcocks Leisure Group, Suzy Walker from The Gambolling Arena Theatre Co, Andrew Brown from press and media and Julie McDaid and myself from the visual arts. But we are all united in a common cause and hopefully bring our own specialty skills to make it work.
“We really appreciate all the performers for giving their time and our artists for donating their art.
“In terms of the artwork being donated we can honestly say it’s one of the most eclectic exhibitions we’ve ever put together; with street art next to traditional watercolours and equine art next to photos of the Red Arrows!”
Apart from the artwork there is a full programme of music and performance over the four-day event. On Friday 8th April there is from 10.30am Ukrainian poetry then at 11.30am John Coates sings ‘Songs of Freedom and the World’.
Between 1pm – 2pm there is a special performance by the Rock School from EDDA.
Saturday 9th April sees at 11am-12pm – Ukrainian Country Dance, at 1pm Ukulele Buddies and at 2pm Southport Market rocks to the JKH Band!
On Sunday 10th April, Ukulele Buddies return at 1pm after Ukrainian poetry at 11pm and then at 2.30pm Jacqui Lewis – Broadway vocalist.
Thursday 7th April sees a special event between 6pm – 9pm with from 6pm – 6.25pm Ukrainian poetry reading by actors Leo & Natalie – under scored by Susan Lambert world renowned harpist. 6.30pm sees Brown En Blonde singing soul and R&B and at 7.20pm there’s Ramzy – Smooth vocalist.
This is a bookable event with FREE entry, just email: saftu2022@gmail.com
The evening event will also see the start of the Grand SAfU Raffle, organised by Serena Silcock-Prince, with fantastic prizes donated by local and regional businesses.
The ‘Southport Artists for Ukraine’ event is at Southport Market Events Hall, King Street, Southport. It is open 10am to 6pm 7th – 10th April (Thursday 6-9pm by FREE ticket only)
All proceeds from the event go to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) to support Ukrainian people displaced by conflict.
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For more details email: saftu2022@gmail.com or join the Southport Artists For Ukraine Facebook group.
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