ARTIST WHOSE FAMILY FLED KYIV FOR WEST SUFFOLK THANKS BRITAIN FOR ITS SUPPORT OF UKRAINE, AS HE AIMS TO RAISE MONEY FOR HIS COUNTRY WITH “STUNNING” CHARITY NFT ART COLLECTION
- Oleg Mishchenko and his wife Iryna Korobkina – who fled Kyiv with her 5-year-old daughter – are selling NFTs of his paintings, in a bid to raise money for CARE International’s: Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal
- Ukrainian family are using the Coinbase NFT Marketplace, as part of charity fundraising efforts
- The 15-piece art collection is designed to depict Ukraine before the war and showcase its beauty to the world
A Ukrainian family, who fled Kyiv for West Suffolk, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has thanked Great Britain and Matt Hancock – the MP for West Suffolk – for taking his family in.
Oleg Mishchenko and his wife Iryna Korobkina – who fled Kyiv with her 5-year-old daughter – are selling NFTs of his paintings, in a bid to raise money for CARE International’s: Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal
Last night, at The NFT Gallery, in Mayfair, London, the family launched their first ever NFT collection – saying the art comes “From Ukraine with Love.”
Oleg Mishchenko and his wife Iryna Korobkina – who fled Kyiv with her 5-year-old daughter – are selling NFTs of his paintings, in a bid to raise money for CARE International’s: Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal
Last night, at The NFT Gallery, in Mayfair, London, the family launched their first ever NFT collection – saying the art comes “From Ukraine with Love.”
Oleg Mishchenko, whose family have been staying with Matt Hancock MP, in his rented Suffolk home, since April last year, said: “I very much appreciate the support and help that Great Britain provides to Ukraine. I also want to thank Matt Hancock for organizing this wonderful event, for everything he has done for my family and for all the Ukrainians in Suffolk.”
Speaking about the collection, Oleg added: “My brushes became weapons, and paints became cartridges. We must all become one to stop evil! Glory to Ukraine and Glory to Britain!”
Oleg Mishchenko and Iryna Korobkina are selling the “stunning” 15-piece NFT collection, in a bid to raise money for CARE International UK’s: Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.
The NFTs are works painted by Oleg before the war.
At last night’s event, Oleg said: “All my life I devoted my life to art and teaching art. Art for me is a way of life and a way of thinking.
“Last Spring I managed to get my paintings out of Kyiv and Odesa under rocket fire and deliver them to Britain. They are of landscapes and ancient architecture from different regions of Ukraine, as well as monuments that have already been destroyed by enemy shells.
“I want my works to tell you about Ukraine, as it was before the war, and as I am sure it will be after our victory, our joint victory.
He added: “A whole year has passed since the war came to our house. We have rallied and are fighting the enemy, each in his own place. Our lives have changed, now we live one day at a time, and every day we get closer to victory.
“I want to make my contribution as an artist, to give my works to charity and to help many people and families from Ukraine who are currently in a very difficult situation.”
While Oleg’s wife Iryna and their daughter, Mariana, were able to escape Russian forces last March, artist Oleg, like many Ukrainian men of military service age, was unable to leave the country. As his wife and daughter made their way to the safety of Suffolk, Oleg joined the army, but due to his health, he was not sent to fight. Instead, Oleg continued to work as an artist, as shells rained down around him. In December, Oleg was finally reunited with his family in Suffolk – travelling more than 1,500 miles from war torn Ukraine to be with them.
Oleg said: “My friend, a professional soldier, died heroically in battle, his name is Vasyl Ripich. Many civilians and children I knew were shot by Russian soldiers when they tried to leave Kyiv and the surrounding cities at the beginning of the invasion. I was lucky, I was able to take my family out. Many people were left homeless, many lost loved ones, many families were separated. All this continues even now. My family was also separated by the war, I did not see my child for almost a year. I came to see my family and support them.”
Mr Mishchenko studied at the National Academy of Fine Arts and Architectural Landscape Painting, and is a member of the National Union of Artists in Ukraine.
Many of Mr Mishchenko’s works had been on display in Odesa, the port city in the south of the country before the war started, but last year they were evacuated and shipped to the safety of West Suffolk.
Speaking about the sale of her husband’s art and the NFT collection, Iryna said: “My husband’s paintings and this NFT collection gives my family and my country hope. Each piece depicts nature in our wonderful Ukraine. It was a beautiful, flourishing, peaceful country until Putin waged this illegal and barbaric war.
“My husband has captured Ukraine’s beauty. Despite the pain and suffering, this is how she will remain in our memory. We will do everything we can to bring her back to life as soon as possible – but we need your help.
She added: “My husband is a proud Ukrainian. He painted each picture with deep enthusiasm and joy in his heart. With this collection, Oleg wants to show the world how Putin is trying to destroy his beautiful country – and for what?
“I am very sad and very angry. It has been an incredibly difficult year for all Ukrainians. We hope my husband’s art and the ‘From Ukraine with Love’ NFT collection will raise as much money as possible for a really important cause – and help my country and its people end this evil war.”
The Ukrainian family of seven, who arrived in the UK in April 2022, say they have received a warm welcome in Suffolk – a county now home to more than 600 Ukrainian refugees.
Iryna said: “I would like to thank MP Matt Hancock for opening his home to my family and to the people of Great Britain for welcoming desperate families like mine in our hour of need. People have been very kind here in England. We want to thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.”
Former Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, who has hosted the family since April last year, said: “I’m incredibly proud of Iryna and Oleg and I am honoured to support the family with their charity NFT collection. Their spirit and bravery in the face of adversity – like so many Ukrainians – is inspiring and I urge people to help in any way they can. Oleg is an incredibly talented artist and his ‘From Ukraine, With Love’ collection is truly stunning.”
CARE International UK’s Chief Executive Officer, Eamon Cassidy, said: “We are delighted that Iryna and Oleg have chosen to donate the proceeds of this sale to CARE’s Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.
“These beautiful works of art will now offer lifelines to those who most need it. Through these proceeds, CARE and our partners can continue to support Ukrainian refugees by supplying essentials like food, clean water, toilets and shelter, offering psychological support, and helping to restore people’s sense of dignity and independence with cash assistance and support to find jobs.
“We want to thank Oleg, Iryna, Coinbase, Matt Hancock and everyone else involved in this auction for their support and generosity.”
Additional Information
The 15-piece NFT collection can be viewed here: From Ukraine With Love | Coinbase NFT.
For images of the NFT collection, as well as photos of Oleg, Iryna and their daughter Mariana please contact: [email protected]
Coinbase is not taking a fee for the NFT sale, and 100% of the sales are going to both CARE International UK’s: Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal (90%) and Oleg’s family (10%).
CARE INTERNATIONAL UK
Founded in 1945, CARE is a leading humanitarian organisation fighting global poverty. CARE has more than seven decades of experience helping people prepare for disasters, providing lifesaving assistance when a crisis hits, and helping communities recover after the emergency has passed. CARE places special focus on women and children, who are often disproportionately affected by disasters.
Care International UK’s Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal funds CARE and their partners work in Ukraine and neighbouring countries in providing shelter, education, food, water, hygiene items, psychological support, gender-based violence support and cash assistance. To learn more, visit www.care-international.org.
For any further media enquiries, please contact:
MaryKate Collins, EMEA Policy Communications, Coinbase
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +353 83 204 5224
David Moore, Media Officer at Care International UK
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07780023365
James Davies, Office of Rt Hon Matt Hancock MP
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07828 392319
