CONTEMPORARY ART STOCKROOM Stuart McLachlan

Dnipro 2024, Arches watercolour rag paper, paper, acrylic paint, metal jewellery, glue, 72cm x 55cm x 32cm

This work is titled after Dnipro, the 4th largest city in Ukraine, and the Dnieper River. The Dnieper River is vital to Ukraine, flowing through the country and sustaining its agriculture, industry, commerce, and culture. Currently, it serves as a natural barrier between Russian forces and Ukrainian territory. This piece holds deep personal significance for me as my twin brother works as a trauma surgeon near the front lines, caring for war wounded in a secondary hospital. These patients are prepared for final surgery and care at a third-tier hospital in Dnipro, where my brother also works at times.The artwork serves as a tribute to the resilience and bravery of the Ukrainian people and the medics striving to defend their families and homes against a formidable invading force. The bridge symbolizes both sides of the conflict, while the matriarchal figure embodies strength and resistance, akin to a protective mother guarding her home