The Orthodox Christian Studies Center at Fordham University (OCSC), the Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs (IIHA), and C-Icon Gallery successfully presented “Wartime Beauty,” a groundbreaking exhibition of contemporary Ukrainian sacred art at The Refuge Gallery.
This landmark collaboration highlighted the powerful works of Ukrainian iconographers Sofia Atlantova and Oleksandr Klymenko, showcasing their innovative approach to traditional iconography within modern contexts of war and resilience.
The centerpiece of the exhibition was the striking Mariupol Deisis (2022), a series of 11 icons from Atlantova and Klymenko’s acclaimed Icons on Ammo Boxes project. Curator Sergei Chapnin observed, “Their work departs from certain Byzantine iconographic conventions, not as a rejection, but as a bold reimagining of Eastern Orthodox tradition, reminding us of the enduring desire for beauty that resonates with prayer.”
Initiated during Ukraine’s struggle in 2014, the Icons on Ammo Boxes project has transformed how sacred art addresses themes of suffering and hope. In the Orthodox Christian tradition, where icons serve as windows to the divine, these works acknowledged the fractures of war while affirming the abiding presence of God, the Holy Mother, and the Saints amidst human anguish.
“It was a true blessing to bring these icons from Ukraine,” said Chapnin. “The exhibition inspired Fordham’s faculty, students, and guests, as well as audiences from across the New York area.”
This three-way institutional partnership between OCSC, IIHA, and C-Icon Gallery established a foundation for future explorations of Christian art in a changing world while supporting the Ukrainian people in their quest for freedom and independence.
Exhibition Dates: Monday, December 9, 2024, 10 a.m. – Saturday, February 1, 2025, 4 p.m. The exhibition was extended by one week beyond its original closing date due to overwhelming interest from students and faculty.
