"Get an Icon — Save a Life" is an artistic initiative of Kyiv-based painters Sofia Atlantova and Oleksandr Klymenko that aims to support the activities of Mykola Pyrogov First Volunteer Mobile Hospital (PDMSh), a non-governmental project that brings Ukrainian civilian medics to the frontlines to treat wounded soldiers and civilians in the battlezone and surrounding areas of Ukraine.
A set of icons was painted by Ukrainian artists Oleksandr Klymenko and Sofia Atlantova on the burnt and war-damaged wooden boards from used frontline ammunition boxes with icons depicting the saints—Ukrainian Defenders's guardians—and with Ukraine's defenders' names inscribed under the ceremonial hymn performances.
The works were presented to His Holiness and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Vatican Sovereign and Catholic Church Head Pope Francis; hung in cathedrals in Ukraine and Europe (becoming a part of the permanent iconostasis of St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv); exhibited in Ukraine and EU Parliaments and academic institutions from all around the world.
The project collects funds for the needs of the Mykola Pirogov First Volunteer Mobile Hospital (PDMSh). It symbolises the goal of its activities — survival in extreme conditions, saving lives and preserving bright hope and faith.
07.12.2018, Lithuanian Embassy. Icon "Guardian Angel", a gift to President D. Grybauskaite
20.02.2020, Vatican. U.S. Ukrainian GC Church bishops present Saint Peter to Pope Francis
06.11.2019, NaUKMA Culture & Arts Centre. A. Meleshevych initiates the 40-icon exhibition
08.02.2020, Meudon, France. New Russian Tradition Vicariate gathers by 20 icons, donates
24.04.2023, Kyiv St. Sophia Cathedral Choir. 11 icons with fighter names to stay displayed
Іконописці: Софія Атлантова & Олександр Клименко
Weaponry box fragment, tempera, gold leaf.
Board origin: near Horlivka, Donetsk Oblast.
The box was brought by PFVMH volunteers
Weaponry box fragment, camouflage fabric, acryl.
Board origin: Avdiyivka Industrial Zone, Donetsk Oblast.
The box was brought by PFVMH volunteers
Weaponry box fragment, tempera.
Board origin: Avdiyivka Industrial Zone, Donetsk Oblast
Weaponry box fragment, tempera.
Board origin: Avdiyivka Industrial Zone, Donetsk Oblast
Weaponry box fragment, tempera.
Board origin: near Mariupol, Donetsk Oblast.
The board was a present given by Ukrainian Marines
Weaponry box fragment, tempera.
Board origin: near Mariupol, Donetsk Oblast.
The board was a present given by Ukrainian Marines
AKM ammunition box lid, tempera.
Board origin: near Mariupol, Donetsk Oblast.
The board was a present given by Ukrainian Marines
Ammunition box bottom, tempera.
The box was a present given by officers of the Interior Ministry of Ukraine
AKM ammunition box board, camouflage fabric, acryl.
The box was a present given by officers of the Interior Ministry of Ukraine
AKM ammunition box board, camouflage fabric, acryl.
The box was a present given by officers of the Interior Ministry of Ukraine
AKM ammunition box board, camouflage fabric, acryl.
The box was a present given by officers of the Interior Ministry of Ukraine
AKM ammunition box lid, tempera.
The box was a present given by officers of the Interior Ministry of Ukraine
Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn
35х40cm
AKM ammunition box bottom, tempera.
The box was a present given by officers of the Interior Ministry of Ukraine
AKM ammunition box bottom, tempera.
The box was a present given by officers of the Interior Ministry of Ukraine
AKM ammunition box bottom, camouflage fabric, acryl.
The box was a present given by officers of the Interior Ministry of Ukraine
AKM ammunition box board, camouflage fabric, acryl.
The box was a present given by officers of the Interior Ministry of Ukraine
AKM ammunition box bottom, tempera.
The box was a present given by officers of the Interior Ministry of Ukraine
AKM ammunition box bottom, tempera.
The box was a present given by officers of the Interior Ministry of Ukraine
AKM ammunition box bottom, tempera.
The box was a present given by officers of the Interior Ministry of Ukraine
AKM ammunition box bottom, tempera.
The box was a present given by officers of the Interior Ministry of Ukraine
AKM ammunition box bottom, tempera.
The box was a present given by officers of the Interior Ministry of Ukraine
AKM ammunition box bottom, tempera, gold leaf.
The box was a present given by officers of the Interior Ministry of Ukraine
AKM ammunition box bottom, tempera.
The box was a present given by officers of the Interior Ministry of Ukraine
AKM ammunition box lid, acryl.
Board origin: village of Pisky, Donetsk Oblast
Ammunition box fragment, tempera, gold leaf.
The board was brought from Pisky village
Shell box fragment, tempera.
Place of origin: Popasna.
The box was brought by PFVMH staff
Weaponry box fragment, tempera, gold leaf.
The box was brought by PFVMH staff from near Novotroitske
Weaponry box fragment, tempera, gold leaf.
The box was brought by PFVMH staff from near Novotroitske
Weaponry box fragment, tempera, gold leaf.
The box was brought by PFVMH staff from near Horlivka
Weaponry box fragment, tempera, gold leaf.
The box was brought by PFVMH staff from near Avdiyivka
Weaponry box fragment, tempera, gold leaf.
The box was brought by PFVMH staff from near Horlivka
Weaponry box fragment, tempera, gold leaf.
The box was brought by PFVMH staff from near Avdiyivka
Мистецтво, що рятує життя: сучасний український іконопис”. Уперше презентовано на “Фольклорному сніданку”, організованому Центром українського і канадського фольклору ім. Петра та Доріс Кулів при Альбертському університеті 6 жовтня 2017 р.
