Ukrainian art in Frankfurt - When anatomy becomes political

It gets under your skin!

The title of the exhibition already hints at the medical, almost surgical approach that seems evident at first glance in the artist's works. The curator of the exhibition, Maryna Shcherbenko, observes that Ralko utilizes this anatomical perspective as a metaphor to shed light on social and political processes: „In this context, anatomy serves not just as a depiction of the physical body but as a means to visualize the internal, often hidden mechanisms shaping human society and its political structure.“

The human body - partly sketched, partly fragmented, and often wounded - is a fundamental element and recurring motif in Ralko's work. Instead of using a scalpel, she dissects it with a brush. For the artist, personal experiences are intertwined with the political and social contexts that shape our lives and are reflected in our bodies. Examining these bodies is therefore a critical inquiry into political systems, power dynamics, vulnerability, and resistance. „In their political identity, a person is not just a mechanism composed of functional organs, but also a symbolic figure, whose internal mechanisms are determined not only by biology but also reflect political realities“, explains Shcherbenko.

„These symbols have simultaneously become emptied and objects of manipulation,“ Ralko explains. „Part of my life took place during the Soviet era, where ritual manipulations with symbols that were supposed to indicate the good sides of humanity and give hope were a routine ideological practice. Therefore, I am now using these all-too-familiar signifiers, completely torn from their signified due to the change in political context.”

Art within the community

The exhibition is a collaborative project that brings together various Ukrainian initiatives, as well as individuals from Germany and other countries, with the Frankfurt cultural scene. The 91 Gallery was established by the registered association Perspektive Ukraine. „The gallery aims to spotlight Ukrainian contemporary art, Ukraine’s art diversity and cultural heritage, fostering connections among Ukrainian galleries, artists, curators, and the German art scene," explain Katia Garan and Oksana Pavliuk, the initiators of the gallery. "Art serves as a language that can provide unparalleled access to understanding, empathy, and cultural exchange." The premises are provided by the Massif Central project company.