We’re almost at the ten-year mark when russian forces first invaded Ukraine, annexed Crimea and started a brutal war in the east of the country. Eight years later, russian forces built up at the border and started their full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In those two years, the lives of Ukrainians – and many Westerners – have been changed. For the people living in safe countries, it’s become part of a daily routine to keep up to date with the latest news updates and support Ukraine’s defence from afar. We can still continue our passions, while many Ukrainians had to put theirs on hold to join the army.
Vlad Melnyk is one of them. The artist has spent the years prior to the full-scale invasion painting and enjoying Kyiv’s vibrant cultural scene. Now, he’s joined the Air Forces. He tells KALTBLUT, how his approach to art has changed and what his life now looks like.
KALTBLUT: What did your life look like before the full-scale invasion?
Vlad: Before the full-scale invasion, my life was centred around art. I lived in Kyiv and was deeply involved in the art scene. I had an agent and a producer, and together we worked on numerous projects. It was a carefree life: I painted in the mornings, took walks around the city in the afternoons, and, later in the evenings, attended events like exhibition openings or presentations. In 2021, Kyiv was buzzing with talented people, and the art scene was vibrant. It was another cultural renaissance for the city.
My entire life revolved around art. I mostly interacted with fellow artists and creative professionals, read about art, watched art-related content, and lived with the hope of achieving something significant in this field.
Some say that creativity is a skill rather than an inspiration. But I’m still not sure if this applies to abstract expressionism.
KALTBLUT: Back then, what was your creative process like?
Vlad: My creative process was chaotic. Almost every year, I moved from one flat to another, which meant constantly changing my studio space. I couldn’t have a separate studio that I would visit like a regular job because the urge and desire to paint could arise at any time. There were times when I woke up in the middle of the night and went to paint in the neighbouring room where I had set up my studio. Sometimes, I managed to turn art into a routine. Some say that creativity is a skill rather than an inspiration. But I’m still not sure if this applies to abstract expressionism.
I experimented a lot with canvases and frames, searching for new artistic mediums. I remember feeling a lot of frustration in 2021 because my paintings didn’t turn out the way I wanted them to. There were months when I didn’t paint because I felt incapable of capturing what I envisioned.
KALTBLUT: Who were your main influences?
Vlad: I think my main influence was Amedeo Modigliani. When I started painting at 19, I led a very indulgent life. I had many women, painted them, and spent a lot of time at parties. One day, I read about Amedeo’s life and romanticised that I was like him, but in the 21st century (laughs). It was his personality that fascinated me, not just his art.
In terms of perseverance, I admired Vincent van Gogh. Technically, I was inspired by abstract artists like Sterling Ruby and Cy Twombly, if we’re talking about well-known artists. On a more local level, I admire Amon Rost and Dan Flanagan, American contemporary artists. They have very powerful works in my opinion.
KALTBLUT: Have two years of full-scale invasion changed your approach to art? If yes, how?
Vlad: Oh, I’ve started to spend much less time creating paintings! Now, when I serve in the military and don’t have quick access to materials, I invest much more time contemplating the process: sketching on paper up to five different variations of the composition for future painting. I try to transfer the work from imagination to the surface as clearly as possible, so as not to forget it. Moreover, abstract painting is always like a lottery: two out of five paintings turn out good, one is decent, and the other two need a complete overhaul.
There are few people left around me with whom I can talk about art and contemporary abstract painting.
KALTBLUT: Do you feel that the war has changed your approach to art in general and your own art?
Vlad: Absolutely! All the apolitical artists immediately revealed themselves and so-called “liberal” art institutions in Russia showcased their imperial views by exhibiting exclusively propagandistic, albeit sometimes veiled, art.
I no longer pay attention to concepts and grand meanings hidden in artworks if the author — and I mean the Ukrainian author — is not involved in the resistance.
Unfortunately, most of my artist friends left the country in a difficult moment. There are few people left around me with whom I can talk about art and contemporary abstract painting.
As for my own art, my attitude remains the same: I still want to create quality paintings, constantly experimenting. After the full-scale invasion began, I wasn’t sure if anyone needed that. The number of exhibitions in Ukraine significantly decreased, and exhibitions across Europe weren’t something that would help my country.
It was hard to do something for culture – I wanted to help directly in the military. I won’t deny that culture is important, especially when it comes to a postcolonial war like the one we have with russia; yet, I believe that direct involvement in fighting the enemy will show better results.
KALTBLUT: Thinking back to two years ago, what were your first thoughts when the invasion started?
Vlad: I woke up to the sound of explosions. My first thoughts were: Where is this explosion? How close is it? What about Dnipro? Dnipro is my hometown, located in southeastern Ukraine. My mother lives there, and until February 24th, the front line was much closer to Dnipro than to Kyiv. That changed overnight. On February 23rd, I was in a meeting with film director Daria Drozd—we were discussing our future joint project, a series of performances at the Dovzhenko Center, which we had been preparing for a month. I went to bed at 1:17 AM, and a few hours later, I heard explosions. By morning, the first columns of Russian troops were near Kyiv.
I didn’t expect the invasion to start on the 24th. Everyone anticipated the 23rd because it’s Defender of the Fatherland Day in Russia. Since Putin loves symbolism and the USSR (because it’s a Soviet holiday, and “Fatherland” in its name refers to the Soviet Union), it was logical to expect a major war on this day. Like, Russians start celebrating, drinking vodka, and invading another country. Very Russian-like. So I breathed a sigh of relief when that didn’t happen. But the war didn’t wait long to start.
KALTBLUT: When did you then decide to join the Air Forces of Ukraine?
Vlad: In March 2022, I made the decision to join the military. I had no military experience or understanding of where to go. I did realise that war is terrifying, and the chances of dying or getting seriously injured are much higher than staying alive. To survive, you need excellent physical form and knowledge. So, I began studying and training, endured several sports injuries, and spent a lot of time on rehabilitation. As a result, I only joined the military in the summer of 2023.
During this time, I acquired the necessary knowledge and skills and chose the Air Force as my final destination in my war-prep journey. But I constantly felt guilty for not defending the country. I really wanted to help my fellow countrymen defeat the enemy. Also, I was motivated by the desire to protect the lives of my loved ones, and of everyone who remained in Ukraine. The regiment I joined is engaged in air defence – shooting down russian missiles and protecting civilians.
Artists aren’t expected to join the military. So for me, it’s not just an act, but a very significant and sacred decision. I don’t know if you’ll understand, but I’m excited about what I’m doing right now.
The regiment I joined is engaged in air defence – shooting down russian missiles and protecting civilians.
KALTBLUT: Do you process the war and all the things you experience through your art? If yes – Has that changed your style?
Vlad: Yes, of course. I’m a very empathetic person, and it’s difficult for me not to sublimate events around me into my art.
Abstract plots in my paintings transform into something concrete for me, although veiled under colours and lines. These compositions are like entire universes to me! They are my own world, which I try to make better, beautiful, and wholesome.
The conditions dictated by the war also influenced my art. I remember the fall of 2022 when Russia began shelling the energy infrastructure. There were constant power outages, sometimes they lasted for several days, and I painted a series by candlelight. It was during the boom of artificial intelligence, and life in Ukraine contrasted greatly with the technological revolution happening in the world. I could only observe it when I managed to charge my phone. So I dedicated a series to this ambivalence.
The absence of light didn’t change my style because I’m always on a path of learning.
The absence of light didn’t change my style because I’m always on a path of learning. I continued to experiment to make my paintings more interesting. The only thing that changed was the colour palette. This was noticeable in the next series I painted in May 2023, during the almost daily shelling of Kyiv. These were yellow, bright red colours of the sun, fire, blood, and chaos during the enemy’s rocket attacks. By then, I was preparing documents to join the Air Force, so this series became symbolic for me.
KALTBLUT: Do you still have the inspiration to paint now?
Vlad: Absolutely. Right now, my agent is working on organizing a solo exhibition in Basel, so I’m preparing a new series. For the first time in six months of service, I have some time to paint while on leave. I’ve already completed three paintings, by the way.
I didn’t have the opportunity to paint at all in the past months. But this break from art turned out to be beneficial for me. Sometimes, an artist needs to recharge and start a bit later.
I hope that in our next conversation, Ukraine will win, and the whole discussion will be somewhat more optimistic. I believe in it.
KALTBLUT: How are you doing now, it’s been 10 years of war and two years of full-scale invasion.
Vlad: I feel calm for the first time in a long while. I’m in my place and doing everything possible for my family and country.
These two years haven’t been easy. But, if you think about it, my generation hasn’t known easy times. We were born in the 1990s, during the difficult times of establishing independence; we witnessed the Orange Revolution in 2004 and the global economic crisis in 2008, and later on – the Revolution of Dignity, the annexation of Crimea, and the beginning of the war in Donbas in 2014. In the eastern region where I lived at the time, these events were particularly noticeable. I haven’t had the easiest life, so I’m accustomed to difficulties. Previous experience of going through tough times helped me emotionally adapt to the conditions of war.
I hope that in our next conversation, Ukraine will win, and the whole discussion will be somewhat more optimistic. I believe in it.
Follow @vladimelnix on Instagram to keep up with his journey. Read a previous KALTBLUT article on Vlad and the works he’s created during the first year of the invasion.
