Paper Planes were launched after Russia invaded Ukraine. It started as an attempt to connect artists displaced by the war with colleagues in the design, VFX, and production fields in Eastern Europe. The heads of Aggressive were looking to connect Ukrainian artists with friends in Warsaw, Poland, to help them get lodging and work.
One message that stood out was from a children's book illustrator named Arina, who was in the Russian-occupied city of Kherson and didn't want to risk being evacuated. She left. She wanted work, not charity, so she offered to send money.
As part of the relief project, they started anInstagram page with work they had commissioned from Ukrainian artists looking for jobs. For some of the artists, the project provides financial help at a time when they need it the most. Our immediate goal is to light as many candles as possible in this onslaught, as we would like to expand and find more support for the works that have already been created for Paper Planes, via, say, exhibits or NFTs.
WIRED reached out to several artists and illustrators, many of whom have worked with Paper Planes, to ask about their experiences during the war. Along with some of the works they've created since Russia invaded, here is what they said.
The interviews have been edited for clarity.
The person is Tania Yakunova.
The city of Kyiv, Ukraine.
Tell us about the creation of this piece.
When the suburbs were liberated from Russian troops, horrifying evidence began to appear. Murdered civilians, mass graves, raped women, and killed children. People started to talk. It was shocking to see what Russians did to civilians. My hometown is Kyiv. Russians were 15 kilometers away from my parent's house. I have many friends who live in the suburbs. I cried all day and was sick. The only way to let out my pain and anger was to draw.
What inspired you?
My illustration is not fiction, it is a collective image of women who were found dead on the side of the road. A woman who was raped in front of her son's eyes was killed by Russians who tried to burn them. Many other people lost their children, husbands, and their own lives.
Where are you currently based and where are you working?
I traveled across Ukraine to find a safer place to stay and help my parents leave. They're living in Europe and I'm back in Kyiv. I'm working from here and hoping that I won't need to flee again, but I'm prepared for the worst scenarios.
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