Faces of Silence

Faces of Silence

Inner Peace, Artistic Resilience, and the Power of Quiet in Times of Turmoil

Chicago Grand Gallery hosted a group exhibition featuring four Ukrainian contemporary artists whose works explore the transformative potential of inner silence. Opened on February 1, 2025, this exhibition featured half of its artworks delivered directly from Kyiv, Ukraine - a testament to the resilience and dedication of Ukrainian artists during the challenges of war.

Titled Faces of Silence and curated by Tamara Lee, a prominent Ukrainian and international art curator, the exhibition ran through March 1, 2025.

Silence as Inner Peace in a Time of Turmoil

In Ukraine, a phrase resonates differently these days: “Have a silent night.” A haunting echo of the war-torn reality, it transcends its peaceful origins to evoke resilience, reflection, and the pursuit of inner calm amidst external chaos. It’s a wish of a night of peaceful sleep, without air raid sirens, or even worse – being those who get hit by an air attack. But it is also a call to inner resilience during war. It is this inner calm that enables one to create beauty, express hope, and embody strength despite the ongoing war.

"Faces of Silence" is an exploration of the relationship between inner quiet and artistic expression, of how the silence within each of us can become a sanctuary, a source of strength, and an unyielding wellspring of inspiration, even as the external world trembles.

Over the past decade, Ukrainian artists have navigated immense challenges, compelled to move beyond borders - both physical and emotional - to preserve their creative essence. For some, this has meant leaving their homeland to safeguard their artistic spirit from forces that would suppress it; for others, it has meant remaining in Ukraine, finding refuge within their inner worlds and drawing strength from their roots.

Works in Faces of Silence embody this journey, celebrating life’s enduring beauty and humanity’s boundless capacity for hope. Amidst the hardships of war, Ukrainian artists have embraced silence as a form of resistance and renewal. Through their creations, they demonstrate how inner peace becomes a powerful tool — not just to survive, but to thrive, to create, and to inspire. Their works are a testament to the enduring spirit of a nation that fights for its existence.

A Call for Inner Silence in a World of Noise

In times of turmoil, finding peace can feel impossible. Yet, the artists featured in "Faces of Silence" showed that within every individual lies an untouched space of tranquility — a place where resilience and creativity are kindled. Their stories remind that silence is not emptiness; it is presence. It is not withdrawal; it is engagement with the deepest parts of ourselves. Even when you need to fight for survival, there is an inner peace you can always reach out to — a well of strength to sustain you.

"Faces of Silence" invited the viewers to witness the artistic manifestations of this inner calm and reflect on their own ability to cultivate it. The works embraced silence as a universal force: an antidote to the noise of modern life, a remedy for the wounds of war, and a source of hope in uncertain times.

The Artists of Faces of Silence

Artists in "Faces of Silence" speak not just to the Ukrainian experience but to the universal need for inner peace in turbulent times. In their silence, they find freedom. In their art, they share their strength. And in their stories, they offer a powerful reminder: silence is not surrender — it is the foundation of creation and the birthplace of resilience.

The exhibition featured the works of four Ukrainian artists:

·       Boris Danilov (b. 1950): A master of porcelain and medieval Japanese 'Sabi' aesthetics, Danilov’s abstract compositions evoke elegance and harmony.

·       Phil Lee (b. 1981): Known for his minimalist experiments in form, Lee’s work integrates musical improvisations with contemporary visual styles.

·       Anna Valieva (b. 1984): Valieva’s series-based paintings explore themes of ancestral traditions, memory, and the passage of time.

·       Wodeman (b. 1975): A Kyiv-based artist and philosopher whose work spans painting, digital media, and mixed media, exploring symbolic connections between objects, ideas, and phenomena.

A Journey to Inner Peace

"Faces of Silence"  served as an invitation to explore the deep connection between silence and resilience. Through their art, Ukrainian artists remind us that, even in the face of adversity, inner peace is a wellspring of strength, creativity, and hope — a universal truth we all share.

have a look at my works that took part in this exhibition