Kherson — a city that endured Russian occupation, and the site of the largest museum looting since World War II. In just a few days in November 2022, Russian forces removed more than 10,000 artworks from the Kherson Regional Art Museum named after Oleksii Shovkunenko. It was a deliberate operation aimed at erasing the artistic identity of southern Ukraine.

“What matters is not what others have done to you, but what you do with what has been done to you.” These words by Jean-Paul Sartre became the leitmotif of the exhibition “KHERSON: Not/Stolen. Studies and Homages.”

Artists from across Ukraine have created works — reflections, studies, and homages — inspired by the stolen masterpieces. This is our response to an attempted act of cultural genocide. It is an act of reclaiming memory through contemporary art.

The exhibition has already captivated audiences in Lviv and Kyiv, and is now on view at KUMF Gallery.

We invite you to experience these artistic reflections and support the preservation of Ukraine’s cultural identity in the heart of Toronto.

Curators:
Olena Balaba, Oleksii Baula
Project Coordinator:
Roza Tapanova
Dates: May 3 – June 7, 2026
Location: KUMF Gallery (Ukrainian Canadian Art Foundation)