Ukrainian landscape art on display in International Center

After the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Barbara Ann Masten wanted to honor the Ukrainians fighting for their freedom and independence. She channeled her feelings into art, and painted a vibrant landscape full of symbolism.

“Ukraine is the breadbasket of Europe, so the wheat field is a typical landscape of Ukraine," said Masten. "It also represents the Ukrainian flag, with yellow wheat and the blue sky. The white house represents the people whose lands are being taken.” 

Masten feels a deep connection to the Ukrainian people as her great-grandmother was born in an area of Poland previously controlled by Russia. Her ancestors were peasant farmers who suffered under the Russian occupation, and many were either conscripted to serve in the Russian army or fled.

After three weeks of work Masten decided to raffle off the painting to raise money for humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. The top bid was placed by her sister, Susan Masten, a professor of environmental engineering at MSU, who then gifted it to Vlad Tarabara, the director of the Center for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies. The painting is now on permanent display on the third floor of the International Center.