Unseen Force - Ukrainian non-violent resistance under occupation

Exhibitions

Dnipro, Art Museum

6 December 2024 – 5 January 2025

Odesa, Fine Art Museum

22 January – 5 March

This exhibition is a tribute to Ukrainian resilience. Our project is committed to making sure that Ukrainians under temporary occupation remain seen and heard. It shows that resistance is part of the Ukrainian DNA – and that Ukrainians will not allow their history to be erased or their stories to be narrated by outside voices.

Erica Berkenpas, the head of the USAID-UCBI 4 project, “Ukraine Confidence Building Initiative”

“Unseen Force” is a necessary exhibition. During my visit to Kyiv, it was a revelation to closely witness the myriad forms of resistance against the occupation in territories temporarily under Russian control — and their social and artistic creativity. Throughout Europe, we must make this force of resistance visible to understand the monster against which the Ukrainian people are fighting.

Carles Torner, Catalan writer, Vice president of PEN International

We, Ukrainians, are a cry of freedom and indomitability. Our own subjectivity is not within borders, but within our courage and resistance. In the context of modern warfare, we often forget about the experiences of the population under occupation – they too are Ukrainian, because Ukraine is in every one of us, wherever we are. After all, we know it’s not about territories, it’s about people!

Olha Mukha, exhibition curator

Much coverage is given to Ukraine’s military efforts and the physical fight for territory. But there is another war taking place: one of narratives, stories, ideas, symbols, reality versus illusion and propaganda. And it’s ordinary people – in particular those inside the occupied territories – who are waging this war. The numbers are key: the more people participate, the greater the headache for Russia.

Sean Boyd, Deputy Head of Diplomatic Mission of Canada to Ukraine

The temporarily occupied territories are currently the most painful part of our country, and the people there are living in the harshest conditions. We must not forget that Ukrainians are there, that it is much harder for them, and even under such circumstances, they continue to resist in every possible way. That is why this exhibition is so important – as a reminder of their strong and brave fight, as a message of support – that we are united, we have not forgotten about you, and we want you to return home.

Olena Churanova, Stop Fake expert and fact checker

‘The struggle continues. Our resistance continues. And this exhibition is about that. About our people – unbreakable, strong, freedom-loving. Who tells the occupier to get out of our land because he’s not welcome here? Children, young people, men, women, the elderly – all generations are demonstrating resistance to Russia’s aggressive ambitions. The voices of brave and dedicated people who were not afraid to resist the occupation must be heard. Today, hundreds of our citizens living in the occupied Crimea inspire the whole world with their resistance. Despite pressure, the possibility of detention, threats and intimidation, they demonstrate their loyalty to Ukraine, waiting for the Armed Forces and liberation from the Russian occupation regime. Qırım serbest olacaq!’

Tamila Tasheva, Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea

I’ve heard many times from artists who endured the occupation that creating art during the occupation and about this experience helped them to survive and overcome this trauma. Now, for us, this art is also a testament to the crimes of the occupying regime. This art is a manifestation of the civic position, and they cannot be separated.

Tetyana Filevska, curator of the women's artistic resistance section

The whole world knows about the Ukrainian’s armed resistance. But not about their nonviolent resistance

Prof. Felipe Daza, co-founder of the International Institute for Nonviolent Action

About the Project

The Unseen Force project stands as a living testament to the unyielding spirit of Ukrainian citizens. It is dedicated to promoting the understanding that Ukraine is defined not merely by its territory or a flag fluttering outside your window but by the resilience and humanity of its people.

Its stories are not stories of passivity, uncertainty and indifference: they are the stories of the resilience of a population that is under direct threat from the Russian occupier.

Ukraine is not just about territory: it’s about the people.

About the project