Ukrainian artist turns carpets into canvases, selling paintings to support armed forces

An artist from the western city of Ternopil paints on old carpets as canvases, Rubryka reports, referring to Suspilne.

What's the problem?

Donations have become an integral part of Ukrainians' lives. Postmen's research showed that despite changes in the financial situation of Ukrainians, over 90% of respondents continued to support the military.

Ukrainians have come up with new ways to attract donations to help the Armed Forces.

What's the solution?

Ternopil artist Rustam Davletov paints old carpets to raise funds for the needs of Ukrainian soldiers.

A Ukrainian living in Belgium bought one of his works, and the proceeds of ₴10,000 ($350) were transferred to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

How does it work?

Rustam uses his own technology to turn a carpet into an art object. On the carpet he was given, he painted a Mavka — a Ukrainian mythological creature living in forests.

"The carpet had a green and brown hue. The idea of painting an image of a girl came to me immediately, and then the animated film 'Mavka' came out. That's how the idea came about," the artist says.

Creating one piece takes about two weeks, according to Davletov. He says he paid the most attention to Mavka's eyes. The artist painted the Ukrainian coat of arms on the girl's face.

"The thing that drives attention to the piece is the eyes. Conveying a beautiful realistic effect of the gaze, I think, is the most important thing in portrait painting," the artist says.

"Mavka" is Rustam Davletov's fourth art piece. Before that, he painted a Venetian mask on a carpet.

Another of his carpets is now in Belgium. The proceeds have already been transferred to the army, the artist says. The first one was an old grandmother's carpet that could have ended up in the trash.

"I thought, why not try it since it's going to the trash? When I started applying the image, the eyes were so captivating that the carpet was born right under my hands," he says.

Rustam Davletov plans to sell his "Mavka" at an auction, and the proceeds will go to help the military.

The artist also has a table made from a used shell casing, which he made himself. He also plans to sell it to help the Armed Forces.

In related news, Zhytomyr artist Olena Bukata paints icons of Ukrainian servicemen on bulletproof plates.

Over two million hryvnias for the needs of Ukrainian defenders were raised in 2022-23 by ten-year-old blind Anna-Maria Herman by singing on the streets and in churches.