Redefining freedom of creativity in captivity: The art of Ukrainian prisoners

July 2, 2025

The article explores the creative practices that flourish within Ukrainian prisons, where inmates transform limited materials into art despite confined spaces. Prison-made artifacts range from hand-crafted knives, games, religious items, and tattoos to written works like poetry and stories. The article highlights specific examples from various prisoners including filmmaker Serhiy Parajanov, who created 800 collages while imprisoned, and women prisoners who make decorated handkerchiefs called "marochki.

Who is affected

Ukrainian prisoners in various correctional facilities, including specific individuals like Pavlo Selezen, Sashko Gres, and filmmaker Serhiy Parajanov
Prison staff who sometimes commission items from skilled inmates
Former prisoners mentioned in the article, including dissident Vasyl Ovsienko, film director Oleg Sentsov, religious scholar Igor Kozlovsky, and journalist Stanislav Aseev
Families and loved ones who receive handmade items like "marochki" handkerchiefs
Ukrainian society at large, which has historically seen high imprisonment rates

What action is being taken

Prisoners are creating various art forms from available materials, including making knives, chess sets, backgammon boards, rosaries, and sculptures
Prison-made art is being exhibited in Ukrainian cultural institutions, including Kyiv's Sholem Aleichem Museum and the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra
Inmates are writing letters, poetry, stories, and collecting prison folklore as creative outlets
Prisoners are developing and maintaining unique artistic traditions like tattooing and creating "marochki" handkerchiefs
Ukrainian artists and writers are documenting and preserving prison art and folklore

Why it matters

Creative expression helps prisoners maintain their humanity, identity, and mental health in restrictive environments
Art creation serves as a potential pathway for social rehabilitation of prisoners
Prison art represents "art brut" or "outsider art" that stands outside traditional artistic institutions but offers authentic cultural expressions
These creative practices uphold Article 27 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states everyone has the right to freely enjoy the arts
With Ukraine having one of the highest incarceration rates in the Council of Europe, prison art forms an important but often overlooked aspect of Ukrainian cultural heritage

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Global Voices