We have created a one-of-a-kind handcrafted and hand-painted globe for auction which has Ukraine at its heart.
One of our talented painters, Anastasiya (Nastia), has been in the company close to 5 years. She is hand painting traditional Ukrainian folk art directly on to this unique and special globe. Nastia is from Kyiv, her parents have escaped to a safer house in the countryside, but like many don’t wish to leave their homeland. We are planning to auction the globe with 100% of the proceeds going to help Ukraine. We want to support any form of aid that helps the defence and the future rebuilding of Ukraine. We are currently working to find a partner for the proceeds (preferring to steer clear of the larger NGO’s).
The style of painting on the globe is inspired by Petrykivka painting.
Petrykivka is a traditional Ukrainian decorative painting style, originating from the village of Petrykivka in Dnipropetrovsk oblast of Ukraine, where it was traditionally used to decorate house walls and everyday household items. The earliest known examples of this style date from the 18th century, but it continues to thrive and develop as a modern art form. The distinctive features of this folk art style are its flower patterns and brush techniques.
In 2012, the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine recognised Petrykivka painting as a part of the intangible cultural heritage of Ukraine, and it was included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2013. Petrykivka painting is a big part of Ukrainian popular culture.
On the globe, Nastia has painted kalina (viburnum flowers). They are very popular in Ukrainian culture and have a few different meanings.
Mentions of the viburnum can be found throughout Ukrainian folklore such as songs, decorative art, Ukrainian embroidery, and poetry. Its symbolic roots can be traced to the Slavic paganism of millennia ago. According to a legend, kalyna was associated with the birth of the Universe, the so-called Fire Trinity: the Sun, the Moon, and the Stars. Its berries symbolise one’s home and native land, blood, and family roots. Kalyna is often depicted on Ukrainian embroidery: ritual cloths and shirts. In Slavic paganism kalyna also represents the beauty of a young lady, and a berry cluster is today an insignia of the Ukrainian Army.
Nastia says “Kalina is a symbol of life, blood, fire. Kalina is said to play the role of a world tree, on top of which birds eat berries and bring people news, sometimes from the afterlife. The tree itself connects the world of the dead with the world of the living. Viburnum symbolises motherhood. The flower and berries symbolise children, the next generation. It is also the personification of home, parents, the whole family together.”
She continues “Kalina is a Ukrainian symbol of the timeless unity of the people: the living along with those who have departed to the afterlife – and those who are still waiting for their birth. Kalina is an important symbol that represents Ukraine itself. The courage of people who shed blood for the Motherland in the fight against enemies.”
We have already donated much needed equipment to the Ukrainian army. We are looking at setting up our own organisation to help what will be many years of rebuilding. The devastation has been appalling to witness, and impossible to believe that just one pathetic little man and his cronies are steering such suffering and destruction.
The arm is hand engraved : Слава Україні (Slava Ukraini – “Glory to Ukraine”).
The globe is a 36cm diameter Livingstone and there will never be another created the same.
Artist Bio :
Nastia is a Ukrainian artist based in London. She is inspired by nature and magic. She is skilled in hand painting and likes to work with a range of materials and techniques, although acrylics remain her favourite.
She went to the Academy of Arts in Kyiv. During her student years, she was inspired by the many traditional artists coming to her school to give presentations and show their craft. She also spent time travelling to different towns and little villages around Ukraine to see the studios of local artists and their authentic methods of creating. It was then that she fell in love with traditional arts. As soon as she found out that there was a company creating bespoke hand-painted globes – she set her mind on joining the team and that is how we came to welcoming her into our little globe-making family.
If you would like to be kept in the loop on updates of the auction date and details please email jade@bellerbyglobemakers.com
Check out the making and painting of this globe below – 4 parts via TikTok.
