I Burn, and Yet I Live. Svitlana Lushnikova

October 12 - November 9, 2023

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From 12 October to 9 November 2023, Atticus Gallery proudly presented I Burn, and Yet I Live, a poignant exhibition by Ukrainian contemporary artist Svitlana Lushnikova, curated by Sasha Burkhanova-Khabadze. This exhibition explored themes of destruction, memory, and cultural survival through Lushnikova’s striking work with nalychnyky—the intricately carved wooden window frames central to Slavic folk architecture.

Curator Sasha Burkhanova-Khabadze brought a unique vision to the exhibition, blending Lushnikova’s visual art with the profound words of Taras Shevchenko, Ukraine’s most iconic poet. The title, I Burn, and Yet I Live, is drawn from Shevchenko’s poetry, perfectly encapsulating the tension between suffering and survival—an apt reflection of Lushnikova’s use of the Shou Sugi Ban technique, in which the surface of wood is charred but remains intact. The blackened nalychnyky symbolised both the destruction of cultural heritage and the resilience that refuses to fade, much like Shevchenko’s enduring message.

Under Burkhanova-Khabadze’s careful curation, the exhibition space became an immersive reflection on memory and endurance. The dim lighting and minimalist setting enhanced the dramatic impact of the charred frames, inviting visitors into a contemplative experience of art and cultural preservation.

I Burn, and Yet I Live provided a deeply resonant exploration of cultural survival, reminding visitors of the resilience of tradition and identity, even when faced with overwhelming adversity.

Location:

• Atticus Arts Gallery, 11a Queen Street, Bath