Artist who fled war in Ukraine with family stages exhibition in Cork

EVEN though Andrew Kos, his wife and their three daughters didn’t want to leave their dream home in Kyiv, Ukraine, they fell on their feet when they landed in Trabolgan in East Cork.

“We are in the most beautiful surroundings,” says Andrew’s wife, Helen, who was forced to flee the conflict in Ukraine with her family, landing in Ireland in April, 2022.

“We have nature, we have the woodland, and we have the ocean. We are so happy. The energy from nature is wonderful,” adds Helen.

It is also wonderful that her husband Andrew is hosting his first solo art exhibition, aptly called Creating Freedom, in community hub My Place Midleton from May 10-20.

Everything is rosy in the garden.

The couple, along with their daughters, Anastasiia, 16, and ten-year-old twins, Mariia and Elizabeth, wallow in the wild beauty of nature.

“The sunsets in the evening are magnificent,” says Helen, who met Andrew during their college years in their homeland, Ukraine. 

We are given small miracles.

Andrew, with a creative heart and a creative soul, surrounded by his family, is happy in his new home near White Bay Beach with views of Roches Point. It is a far cry from the shelled buildings and devastation that he left behind.

“The beautiful place gives Andrew more inspiration for his art every day,” says Helen.

The family were given something precious. “We have our freedom”.

Andrew’s late mother gave him the inspiration to paint.

“Andrew comes from a big family,” says Helen. “His mother, Anastasia, gave him the inspiration to paint. She was an artist and she liked to sing. Late at night he would sit up with his mother and watch her paint while he drew. Andrew has a natural creative talent just like her.”

The Kos family got a ‘céad míle fáilte from the Irish people and have become a big part of the community in East Cork.

“We didn’t want to leave our home,” says Helen. “It was an old house that became our dream house. 

Having our own home in Kyiv was a big thing. Many people live in apartments.

But in 2022, Andrew and Helen, realising the Russo-Ukrainian war was escalating and fearful for their safety and that of their daughters, fled with some possessions and, through contacts in Dublin, made it safely to City West before settling in Trabolgan.

“We are settled and happy here,” says Helen. “The people are very kind to us since we first arrived.”

The family enjoy the open spaces and the mental space.

“Painting is so good for Andrew and for his mental health,” says Helen. “He puts on his music and goes into a quiet space to work.”

Then the magic happens.

“The work for this first exhibition was in the making for two years,” says Helen. “Andrew’s paintings are acrylic, as oils take too long to dry.”

Gráinne Keating, from Midleton, one of over 25 volunteers that offer free informal English classes as a tutor, aiming to connect Ukrainians with the community and foster friendships, held out the hand of friendship to Helen when she came to Midleton.

“We were hoping to use the swimming pool at Trabolgan!” says Helen. “But we had no swimming costumes!”

Gráinne takes up the story of how the trio became firm friends.

“There was a hub open in Midleton for three months as a reaction to the war,” says Gráinne. “The hub was run by volunteers, the Sunflower Girls, providing essentials like toiletries and nappies. It was a stop gap for the first arrivals coming from abroad to Trabolgan.”

Art lover, volunteer, and retired teacher Gráinne, teaching Ukrainians English under the umbrella of Fáilte Isteach Ireland, also secured funds from another charity to go to shop in Dunnes Stores and buy 100 swimsuits.

“Helen had experience of retail,” says Grainne. “And she helped distribute all the swimsuits and other items of clothing.”

Because of the war, some people had been dispossessed.

“People fleeing the country had lost some of their bags,” says Helen.

Losing no time, Gráinne, who appreciated Andrew’s obvious talent, introduced the couple to Rory McSweeney, art curator of My Place.

The day before the grand opening, Gary was hands-on, deciding where to hang the unique paintings in the bright, spacious room at My Place.

“I like to promote local artists and also promote diversity,” says Gary, who worked in the arts in Galway for 30 years, and who is an expert on the steps required to make an artist’s dream a reality.

“Creative Freedom is a very inclusive project,” adds Gary, who designed the posters for it in both English and Ukrainian.

“Andrew is building in confidence all the time.”

Gary sees Andrew’s work for what it is.

His art reflects the architecture of nature and human nature together.

Andrew, becoming familiar with the English language and thankful for all the support he is offered, is very excited about his first solo art exhibition.

“I feel really positive about the project,” says Andrew, whose first submission to the RHA was accepted. “Gary has made it easy for me.”

Andrew’s soulmate has always supported him.

“We really appreciate all the support,” says Helen. “Having Andrew’s first solo art exhibition here in Midleton is an amazing feeling. It is good for him and good for his soul.”

Now that the Kos family are part of the community, they feel more at home.

“When we left Kyiv, we felt we lost control,” says Helen. “The fierce rocket attacks and the war tanks made us leave.”

We lost our home, our foundation, our business, our friends.

Now they have new friends.

“Our twin girls go to school in Saleen and Anastasiia is attending St Mary’s High School,” says Helen, who works one day a week as a hairdresser in Midleton.

Helen and Andrew are one of the gang.

“There is a whole group of us,” says Gráinne. “We meet up often and go for coffee and a chat.”

Andrew’s beautiful art, exploring human nature and the nature of architecture, incorporating magnificent colour and shapes, includes a nod to his home country.

“There is a tiny insignia of the colours of the Ukrainian flag at the bottom of each painting,” says Gary.

My Place is Andrew’s Happy Place.

Small miracles are big miracles.

“My first solo art exhibition is a wonderful thing,” says Andrew.

Creative Freedom by Andrew Kos at My Place Midleton. Exhibition runs to May 20.

My Place Midleton supports the development of community-orientated social, recreational and educational opportunities for people in the greater Midleton area.