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Looking Up: The Giant Art Transforming Kyiv

Since the deadly Euromaidan protests of 2014, murals have been appearing on the streets of the Ukrainian capital. Many are politically charged pieces from locals. Some are large-scale epics by international artists. But all reflect the youthful energy and national spirit that is unique to today's Kyiv.
Another of Sasha Korban's murals in central Kyiv. 
26 Another of Sasha Korban's murals in central Kyiv. 
Portrait of a girl wrapped in traditional Ukrainian clothing, by Australian artist Guido van Helten. The mural covers 18 stories of a Soviet-era apartment block. 
27 Portrait of a girl wrapped in traditional Ukrainian clothing, by Australian artist Guido van Helten. The mural covers 18 stories of a Soviet-era apartment block. 
A mural declaring "Peace To Ukraine" in central Kyiv. 
28 A mural declaring "Peace To Ukraine" in central Kyiv. 
A mural by Alexander Britz in the courtyard where three famous crows -- named Cyril, Carlos, and Corbin -- are housed in a cage. 
29 A mural by Alexander Britz in the courtyard where three famous crows -- named Cyril, Carlos, and Corbin -- are housed in a cage. 
Lilly Of The Valley, a portrait of the Ukrainian poet and activist known as Lesya Ukrainka, by Guido van Helten.
30 Lilly Of The Valley, a portrait of the Ukrainian poet and activist known as Lesya Ukrainka, by Guido van Helten.
Boy With Darts, by Sacha Korban. 
31 Boy With Darts, by Sacha Korban. 
The Archangel Michael, by Gaia. The American artist says Michael "is often invoked as protection from invasion by enemies, and civil war. In this image, the devil has been removed and the mirrored figure is reflected in its stead. This image stands as a testament to the ongoing conflict in Crimea and Donbas between Ukraine and Russia."  
32 The Archangel Michael, by Gaia. The American artist says Michael "is often invoked as protection from invasion by enemies, and civil war. In this image, the devil has been removed and the mirrored figure is reflected in its stead. This image stands as a testament to the ongoing conflict in Crimea and Donbas between Ukraine and Russia."
 
Ukrainian Saint George, by local duo Interesni Kazki, features a serpent grasping at both the east and west of the land. The artists wrote on their website that the serpent represents both Russia and the NATO bloc: "For Ukraine, these two civilizations, in essence, are one snake-monster..."
33 Ukrainian Saint George, by local duo Interesni Kazki, features a serpent grasping at both the east and west of the land. The artists wrote on their website that the serpent represents both Russia and the NATO bloc: "For Ukraine, these two civilizations, in essence, are one snake-monster..."
The Visionary, by Australian artist Fintan Magee. 
34 The Visionary, by Australian artist Fintan Magee. 
Magee at work on the 17-story piece in Troeshyna, in the north of Kyiv. The Australian says he enjoys working on large-scale pieces away from the elitist atmosphere of the art gallery. "I was so excited to work in Troeshyna. The neighborhood is geographically disconnected from the center of Kyiv, so it’s important that we also work here; this way we can integrate art into people’s everyday lives.”  
35 Magee at work on the 17-story piece in Troeshyna, in the north of Kyiv. The Australian says he enjoys working on large-scale pieces away from the elitist atmosphere of the art gallery. "I was so excited to work in Troeshyna. The neighborhood is geographically disconnected from the center of Kyiv, so it’s important that we also work here; this way we can integrate art into people’s everyday lives.”
 
A local resident walks past a mural declaring, "I love Ukraine!" 
36 A local resident walks past a mural declaring, "I love Ukraine!" 
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Amos Chapple

Amos Chapple is a New Zealand-born photographer and picture researcher with a particular interest in the former U.S.S.R.

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