24.02.2022 - Black Dawn of Ukraine 2022

Alfred Freddy Krupa made this watercolor on paper on the 24th of February, 2022. The title, "Black Dawn of Ukraine," tells us that we are looking at a work made in direct response to the Russian invasion. The stark imagery creates meaning through the use of dark ink, contrasting with the white of the page. The bare trees, devoid of leaves, suggest a landscape scarred by conflict. Krupa made this work in Croatia, a nation with its own history of war and invasion. It's important to remember that the reception of art is always shaped by the social and political conditions in which it is viewed. Here, the artist makes an appeal for our attention to the unfolding tragedy in Ukraine. Understanding the social and institutional history of war and peace is essential to interpreting artworks like this. By researching the history of Ukraine and Croatia, we can better understand the artist's motivations and the significance of this powerful image.