"Heart Of Ukraine" by Christopher Griffin

The "Heart of Ukraine" Online Silent Auction has been created in support of Help Us Help Summer Camp 2023 in Ukraine.

Description of the Silent Auction Item:

A unique and modern oil painting with a focus on Ukrainian harvesting culture.

Title: Heart Of Ukraine
Medium: oil on canvas
Dimensions: 48" x 48"
Artist: Christopher Griffin
Year: 2023

Value: $5000

Minimum bid: $2500.00
Increments of: $50.00

Artist's statement:

In 1996, Canadian artist Christopher Griffin travelled to Ukraine. He spent most of his time in Kolomya with his wife’s family. Every morning, fuelled by a hearty breakfast prepared by Teta Dotsya, he’d pack his pen and sketchbook and with a borrowed one-speed bicycle would board the 7am local train heading into the Carpathian Mountains.

Every day, he would get off at a different stop and venture off to explore the area, making his way back home in time for dinner. Eventually, the distance became too great so he would catch the 5pm train back to Kolomya.

Without a map and with limited Ukrainian, he would often get lost. It was during these moments that he discovered the most captivating countryside and warm-hearted and generous people. The scenes were reminiscent of a Van Gogh painting: fields of gold, haystacks, horse drawn wagons and people toiling in the fields.

One day. while pedalling over a small hill, Christopher came upon a scene of men harvesting the golden fields surrounded by vast blue skies. He leaned his bike against a tree to capture the beautiful moment. The painting 'Heart of Ukraine' is a testament to the enduring strength, determination and spirit of the Ukrainian people in sustaining the land they call home.

To learn more about the artist, visit his website at:
www.christophergriffin.ca

Brief description about Help Us Help Summer Camp 2023:

Help Us Help has been hosting Summer Camp programs in Ukraine for 30 years.

This summer's goal is to invite 200 orphaned children from all over Ukraine to participate in a two-week-long educational summer camp experience. Now, more than ever the children need your support.

Our camp provides the children with physical, psychological and social rehabilitation through fun and interactive activities and workshops. Ukraine is in a time of great need and our mission is to ensure that the children feel that they have not been forgotten.

This year's program aims to instill hope in the next generation of Ukraine's youth and children. The camp will take place in the Carpathian Mountains, from July 30th to August 12th, 2023.

It costs $600.00 CDN to send one child to camp . This cost covers transportation, clothing, food, medical and dental assessments, hygiene products, fees associated with excursions and much more! This is a unique opportunity for the children to spend two life-changing weeks in the mountains, playing, learning, enjoying new experiences, making new friends and having the opportunity to just be kids.

Your generous support will help us cover these costs and ensure that each and every child is given the chance to reach their full potential!

Visit www.helpushelp.charity to learn more!

Help Us Help is a Canadian Registered charity that is committed to helping Ukraine’s most vulnerable populations. Since 1993, HUH has distributed over $25 million in charitable aid to projects and organizations engaged in education, literacy, arts and culture, social work, civil society, and more.