Sasha Popova
With the war now upon them, Nadia’s parents take precautions for Nadia, should they be killed or separated from her. Sasha paints a child in a diaper who has had her name written on her back, the name of her hometown, her address, and other information that could help get her back to a safe place if her parents get killed or separated from her.
The journey started with Sasha Popova, a six-year old Ukranian girl, walking each day to her teacher’s art studio. As she got older, she painted in other studios in her hometown, Izmail, which rests along the southern border of Romania. Sometime later—after Sasha and her family moved to Birmingham—she continued painting, and, during the course of a year, she prepared a portfolio for the required AP art curriculum. Her challenge was to create several pieces that told a story, something that she could connect with. The Story of Nadia in Sasha’s paintings is about the effects of the war with Russia on children of Ukraine.
Sasha Popova
This painting features Nadia, a little more grown up, in the bomb shelter. She is reading her Bible, surrounded by her pink backpack and her favorite teddy bear. The backpack contains emergency items that are needed for a child in Ukraine today: a MedKit, a water bottle, headphones, a teddy bear for comfort, and a Bible.
“I wanted to show what was running through Nadia’s mind as each day broke anew,” Sasha says. In the beginning, she pictured a well-cared for apartment, with a metal merry-go-round that had Nadia’s backpack on it. Not far away is a field ready for planting. The good times.
Sasha Popova
Sasha shows Nadia and a friend grateful for the food they have. Food, however meager, keeps them alive and their religion and their faith bring them a hope for freedom and comfort backed up by the Bible.
After Sasha had told me Nadia’s story, I asked her what first impressions of America she had. “I discovered that people here smile more, and say “good morning” or “how are you today?” In my country, the cultural thing is not to smile, particularly at strangers. So it took some getting used to,” she says. “Another major difference was that air conditioning was everywhere, and everything, it seemed, was indoors.” She also found out that America is not an easily walkable country; you definitely need a car.
Sasha Popova
During the war, the economy of Ukraine has suffered. Here, Sasha’s painting shows Ukrainian money aflame.
Sasha Popova
A Russian missile has landed by Nadia’s home, but it doesn’t explode, as this often happens due to faulty Russian equipment. A grateful Nadia is picking up her bear from the damage. During the day, the air raid sirens go off eight to twelve times, and Nadia and her friends run to shelters, only later to discover a faulty missile. So they quit going every time the siren blows. It’s a game of Russian roulette.
I also asked her about her favorite traditions. “In Ukraine, we have lots of fields of wildflowers,” she says. “Ukrainian moms and grandmothers teach young girls how to make headbands out of these wildflowers. These head wreaths are then completed with lace and ribbons. The handmade flower crowns can be worn, but, most of the time, they are used to honor our soldiers who have died in the war. During a holiday called Ivana Kupala, which usually falls on the summer solstice, women and their daughters let the flower wreaths float in the river downstream to honor our soldiers.”
Sasha Popova
Even in the midst of war, Ukrainian adults continue to work in the fields trying to support their families and country.
“I remember, too, that school was also very hard and that, even at age five, I played tennis a whole lot. My mom taught my sister, Dasha, and me English. I had to converse with my Dad in Russian and also spoke Ukrainian at school.“ Sasha, along with mom Snizhana and her dad, Alexander, are currently back in Ukraine visiting family and friends.
Sasha, except for just some “thinking” about being a chef, has always wanted to be an artist. When she was young, around five to seven years of age, she would walk to an academy of arts. From those early days, she has continued to paint, crediting her parents for encouraging her to reach heights. “With me,” she says, “art is not just my hobby. It’s my passion.” Even at her young age, she has painted a number of wall murals, commission pieces for friends, and several items for interior designers.
Sasha Popova
But time often runs out for children of war. Nadia’s apartment was bombed and the sweet, defiant, hopeful young lady who represented so many Ukrainian children, died. She, along with many children, is gone. Sasha included an important detail throughout her portfolio; a bear that represented Nadia and thousands of children in Ukraine.
What does the future hold for Sasha? After talking with her for a while, I found her full of talent and charm, self-assured, joyful, optimistic, and honest. All of these traits will do her well in the future. “I’m going to Auburn this fall to major in architecture. Why does architecture resonate with my passions?” she asks. “Well, let me tell you. There are houses and there are homes. Every day the Ukrainian people are being stripped of their warm, intrinsic homes. They are being forced to flee with their belongings and memories. They leave behind an empty, soulless house. War is a devastating, yet authentic, way of showing the harsh realms of life. Witnessing such monstrosities allowed me to see the difference between a temporary and permanent way of living.”
“I believe strongly,” Sasha continues, “that architecture has the power to heal and rebuild. My intention is to use my education to design structures that offer protection, dignity, and a sense of belonging in honor of those who have been displaced by war. I aim to create spaces that will offer stability, allowing individuals to reclaim their self identity.”
Mix Sasha’s dream with her passion for art, and you have a young, vibrant lady who will design homes for people who thought “home” was a word they would never hear again. One who will use her paintbrushes to brighten up the walls of our world. In doing so, will put the comfort of Nadia’s broken teddy back in each of our hearts again.