Ukrainian documentary photographer Iva Sidash has documented the entire Russian invasion of Ukraine since 2020. Until Oct. 20 some of her photos are on display at Roberta’s Art Gallery in the University Center to bring awareness and show what is happening in Ukraine. The photos she has taken are of walls of residential buildings that have been destroyed during the invasion. Her work has also been published in various different news articles such as “Financial Times,” “The Fisheye Magazine,” “Der Spiegel,” “Nowhere Diary,” “The Ukranians,” “Birds in Flight,” and many other articles.
Iva Sidash (Іва Сідаш) also known as Yana Sidash was born June 30, 1995 in Lviv, Ukraine, and has been engaged in photography since 2019. She graduated from Visual Storytelling ICP Master Class in 2022. Sidash started photography as a hobby but when Russia invaded Ukraine she jumped at the opportunity to show just how horrible the situation was. Even though it was dangerous, Sidash still wanted to help her country any way she could.
The exhibit tries to show people the damage that can be caused by war. In a reception to celebrate the gallery and honor her work Sidash discussed her work, its goal and its meaning.
“And so I began this project to keep the memories alive,” Sidash said. She wants to remind people of the horrors that war can bring. “I want to remind people of those desolate, destroyed places, where each wall has its own memory,” she said.
Sidash explained that “these photographs are my visual language,” Sidash sees her photos as her way of expressing herself and her opinions, this is her way of showing people what is currently happening in Ukraine.
Venna Johnson, one of the workers at Roberta’s Art Gallery, said that “this is her way of spreading awareness for what has been happening in Ukraine since Russia invaded.”
Roberta’s Art Gallery will be showcasing Sidash’s impactful work through Oct. 20 and offers a unique opportunity for UW-Whitewater students and Whitewater community members to have a glimpse at the horrors of war.
