OSAKA – One summer evening, an exquisite glow illuminated the sky, reminiscent of fireworks. Yet, these lights originated from a bomb rather than pyrotechnics. Three years prior to this event, Nina Butieva, a 44-year-old Ukrainian artist, escaped her home nation as Russian forces invaded, worrying about potential attacks targeting creatives. Currently residing in Japan, she has resumed painting.
Nina comes from eastern Ukraine. To safeguard her family members living in her home city, she chose not to reveal its name; however, she mentioned that before moving to Kiev, she had been an English instructor at a technical college. When Nina was approaching 30, she resolved to chase her long-held aspiration of being an artist. While employed at a factory, she self-taught various painting methods and around ten years back, founded an art studio in her birthplace. Thereafter, she started instructing locals in the craft of painting and showcased her creations in galleries across Europe, successfully embarking upon her career as an artist.
Artists as targets
When Russia launched its attack on Ukraine on February 24, 2022, things took a dramatic shift. Back then, Nina remained hopeful. “Although people were calling it an invasion, I wasn’t sure about Russia’s next move,” she recalled. It had never crossed her mind that this situation would escalate into full-blown warfare.
A few days afterward, armed Russian troops entered her city. Political figures were detained, and clergymen were arrested. During this period, Nina got a message from a woman she knew—a painter residing in Eastern Ukraine. "Flee," the woman implored her.
The Russian military was demolishing many works of art and historic structures within the nation. She knew that artists had often faced attacks in previous conflicts. "Artists could be next," she mused, prompting her to escape overseas with someone she knew.
Abandoning her sick mother back home
Nina worried deeply for her aging parents whom she had left back in her hometown. Her mother, nearing 80, was battling cancer yet urged Nina to depart without hesitation. “Don’t worry about me; just go,” her mom reassured her through tear-filled eyes. Embracing her sorrowfully, Nina carried a small sack filled with paint supplies and an extra outfit as she stepped onto a chilly evening bus ride during what should have been warm summertime weather.
As she gazed out through the bus window, she witnessed the devastated Ukrainian towns. Shells started raining down nearby, with explosions continuously reverberating all around. The darkness of the night lit up intermittently from the blasts. At any instant, it felt like their vehicle might also get struck. Those passengers who had managed to flee earlier were hiding in the shrubbery, weeping uncontrollably and shaking with fear. Realizing this could indeed mark her final moments, Nina composed herself enough to send one last message—a goodbye—to the person she had pledged to reunite with.
Early in the day, the bombardment ceased. Having departed three days prior, Nina set off from a western Ukrainian city and traveled with someone she knew. Following their stay in Slovakia, they reached Japan in September 2022 through connections they had.
A glimpse of home in Osaka
As they landed at Kansai International Airport, Nina strolled along the shoreline in Izumisano, Osaka Prefecture, her temporary residence. The crashing waves and ocean aroma brought back memories of home, as did the sight of a nearby seaside Ferris wheel.
Nina currently resides in an apartment complex in Osaka as she attends a Japanese language institute. She remarks, “Japan is a splendid nation where everyone is courteous and exceedingly friendly.”
She picked up her creative pursuits again, opting for the beach landscape that evoked memories of her home town as her theme.
Not long ago, she was invited to participate in an exchange exhibit in Osaka, showcasing pieces from 17 Ukrainian and Japanese artists. Alongside her artwork, contributions from 11 of her pupils and artist colleagues who remain in Ukraine will also be featured.
“Through artistic exchanges, my aim is to construct a pathway towards peace,” states Nina. “I am determined not to allow Ukraine’s culturally rich heritage, developed throughout its extensive history, to vanish.” She strongly holds the belief that art remains impervious to the ravages of war.
The exchange exhibition is being held through March 17 at Atoriemil (Nishiimagawa 4, Higashisumiyoshi Ward, Osaka). Admission is free.
(Originally written in Japanese by Mie Omokawa from the Osaka City News Department)
