From 12 October to 9 November 2023, I Burn, and Yet I Live was exhibited at Atticus Gallery, presenting the latest work by Ukrainian artist Svitlana Lushnikova. Curated by Sasha Burkhanova-Khabadze, the exhibition focused on themes of destruction, memory, and cultural survival. Central to the exhibition were nalychnyky—decorative wooden window frames found in traditional Slavic architecture, reimagined through Lushnikova’s artistic practice.

The title of the exhibition, I Burn, and Yet I Live, is inspired by the poetry of Taras Shevchenko, Ukraine’s national poet, reflecting the struggle between suffering and endurance. In this body of work, Lushnikova uses the Shou Sugi Ban technique, a method of charring wood while preserving its structure. The blackened window frames symbolise the loss of cultural heritage and the strength needed to preserve identity through adversity.

Burkhanova-Khabadze’s curation created a space for reflection, using minimalist design and subtle lighting to emphasise the dramatic impact of the charred frames. Visitors were invited into a meditative experience, connecting art with memory and resilience. Each nalychnyky, marked by fire but standing intact, communicated the message that even in destruction, culture finds a way to survive.

I Burn, and Yet I Live encouraged visitors to think about how traditions endure, even in the face of overwhelming challenges—a reminder that heritage, like identity, can be scarred but never erased.

Location: Atticus Arts Gallery, 11a Queen Street, Bath