Hello! I am an artist Ksisha Angelava, I paint political prisoners. In recent years, I have created more than 1,100 portraits, which turned into an exhibition called «Martyrology of Belarus». You could see it in November 2023 in Vilnius or in May 2024 in Warsaw.
It all started with the death of Roman Bondarenko, who was also an artist. Then we began to learn about dozens of people arrested, and I made a kind of promise – I will paint everyone, and then they will be released, we will defeat this evil. But the number of those arrested began to grow exponentially: I paint three portraits a week, and thirty people are detained. I physically do not have time to paint everyone. But I continue, because this is my promise. And a kind of archive, so that the voices of those arrested are heard, so that they are remembered. I correspond with the families of some political prisoners.
I also continue to paint so that the world does not forget our pain. When I see how foreigners react to my exhibitions, start to join our call, I am very happy. This allows me to continue, not to give in to the temptation to stop and admit that nothing works, and people are still there.
Such creative work is difficult to combine with work, especially four years in a row. I draw at my own expense and materials, in my free time. And I can’t get a permanent job because of the exhibitions: very often I am invited to different galleries. But this is usually only a ticket, in rare cases – some modest food. Therefore, I work with Belarusian children for several hours a week, as well as with Polish children from SDUG, since I have a pedagogical education. This is only enough for the apartment where my daughter and I live.
I have to ask for help for food – a recently created food aid group for Belarusians led by Sergei Melyanets helps out. From time to time they help me buy materials, recently they gave me a scanner so that I can archive my works. But there are no resources left at all.
In addition, my situation is complicated by my health. In 2011, I fell ill with cancer and underwent a number of surgeries. Including removal of mammary glands and female organs. Last year, doctors became worried that I was out of remission and admitted me to hospital. They removed my tonsils and performed surgery on my ligaments, and then I spent six months on chemotherapy. But this is not the end: I need another operation on my esophagus.
The problem is that it is very difficult to see doctors in Poland. I have an appointment for 2026, because there are no places before that. Your help will allow me to get a consultation faster and not wait so long. And also to buy myself medicine, pay for housing and food.
I will be grateful for any help!
How much is needed?
€3750
€2000 – paid visits to doctors
€1100 – apartment rent
€650 – household expenses and food