Mylana Stadna

Revival is a visualization of pain, loss, and the resilience of the human spirit, created as a response to the tragic events of war that have affected millions of lives. Through images of birds, which symbolize the human soul, the work reflects the struggle for freedom, the drive to create, and the honoring of the land and people impacted by war.

Key motifs:

Burgundy bird: Embroidered with flower patterns reminiscent of children’s drawings, it symbolizes lost childhood—the lives of children forced to grow up under harsh conditions of war. White circles on the bird evoke targets, representing danger.

Black bird: Filled with dried grass, this bird is a metaphor for Ukrainian soil, also suffering from the war. It symbolizes devastation, exhaustion, pain, and death inflicted upon fertile land.

Pink bird: Filled with fabric used in the artist’s paintings, this bird embodies the urge to create even amid destruction. It symbolizes the resilience of the creative spirit and the drive to revive life in the darkest times.

The gesture of nailing the birds to the wall represents the violent halt of their flight, mirroring how war stops life and freedom. Each nail holding a bird stands as testimony to the harsh reality that prevents them from soaring.

This work is a symbol of how war takes away freedom, destroys creativity, and robs childhood. Through these images, Milana conveys that despite all destruction, the human soul continues to strive for freedom and creation.