A Cry of Despair: Danylo Movchan’s Watercolors on the War in Ukraine: 86 (Ukrainian Voices) - Softcover

Max Hartmann

Softcover

ISBN 10: 383822051X ISBN 13: 9783838220512

Publisher: ibidem, 2025

Synopsis

Danylo Movchan’s watercolors, born from the ashes of Ukraine’s 2022 invasion by Russia, capture the soul of a nation in turmoil. His art, a poignant diary of war, transcends mere imagery, touching hearts where news broadcasts cannot reach. One observer remarked: »The artist conveys his personal feelings about the terrible war in Ukraine with such precision. His symbolic representations resonate far beyond the many images in the media.« From the moment Movchan shared his first painting on social media, his work has been a beacon of expression, subtly illustrating the profound impact of conflict on his homeland. Each stroke of his brush tells a story, weaving a narrative that continues to unfold with each passing day. This volume not only showcases Movchan’s art but also includes intimate conversations with Max Hartmann and Julian Chaplinsky, an architect from Lviv, whose insights frame the paintings in a broader historical and political context. Movchan himself warns of the creeping revival of totalitarianism, a threat to liberalism and democracy, should we fail to act. Dive into a narrative where art and war collide, offering new perspectives on resilience, loss, and the undying spirit of a people. The cover features a haunting tribute to the artist's brother, lost in the battlefields of Bakhmut in 2023, encapsulating the personal cost of this enduring conflict.

About this title

About the Authors

Danylo Movchan, born in 1979, studied at the Ivan Trush National Academy of Decorative and Applied Arts and the National Academy of Arts in Lviv and is a member of the Ukrainian Union of Icon Painters. Movchan's works are often shown at exhibitions in Ukraine and abroad. 

Max Hartmann studied Theology in Basel, Bern, and Zurich. In 1987, he became Pastor in the Reformed Church Parish of Brittnau, Switzerland. Retired since 2022, he has taken on various substitute roles and works as an author, blogger as well as editor. Among his recent books are Zurück zum Leben: Das Tagebuch meiner Depression (Mosaicstones 2021) and Ein Schrei der Verzweiflung (ibidem 2024). His website is: www.max-hartmann.ch

Danylo Movchan, born in 1979, studied at the Ivan Trush National Academy of Decorative and Applied Arts and the National Academy of Arts in Lviv and is a member of the Ukrainian Union of Icon Painters. Movchan's works are often shown at exhibitions in Ukraine and abroad. 

John A. Kohan has been an Associate Editor, Foreign Correspondent, and Moscow Bureau Chief for TIME Magazine, curates exhibits with artworks from his listings, and writes art columns.

Matheusz Sora is a historian who works at the Education and Publishing Department of the National Bank of Poland, and curates the “Nowa Ikona” open-air painting sessions for icon painters.

Julian Chaplinsky, born in Lviv in 1982, is an architect, well-known public figure and urban planner in Lviv. His own architecture is inspired by the famous architects Stefan Behnisch and Mario Botta.

Edition details

• Publisher: ibidem
• Publication date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 383822051X
• ISBN 13: 9783838220512
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 220