The Documentary Podcast Lesia Khomenko: Art and war
Sep 22, 2025
Lesia Khomenko, a Ukrainian artist who fled Kyiv with her daughter just after the invasion, now living in New York, shares her journey of resilience through art. She discusses her poignant portrait series 'Max is in the Army,' featuring civilians transformed into soldiers. Lesia also details her creative process behind monumental works, including a striking banner for the Kyiv train station, symbolizing the nation's spirit. Her unique perspective captures the intersection of creativity and conflict, illustrating the human side of wartime experiences.
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Immediate Flight From Kyiv
- Lesia fled Kyiv the day after the Russian invasion with her daughter and some documents but left most artworks behind.
- She felt her biography vanish and instinctively kept painting to resist and prove she was still an artist.
Starting To Paint Amid Displacement
- Lesia set up temporary studios in western Ukraine with funds from artist friends because many refugees lacked workspace.
- Her first wartime painting, Max Is In The Army, responded to a selfie her husband sent from his military base.
Civilian-to-Soldier Transformation
- Lesia used the image of her husband saluting to show how civilians abruptly become soldiers.
- She believed that portraying ordinary people armed reveals how society transforms under war.
