In his home country Alexander Lidagovsky, 62, was feted as a famous artist. His work was exhibited at numerous prestigious international exhibitions. He was elected an Honorary Member of the Royal Society of British Artists, a testament to his artistic prowess. Dozens of his sculptures grace public spaces across the capital, Kyiv, where he worked.
This life was shattered overnight when Russian troops attacked in March 2022. His narrowly managed to escape with his partner and their two children, arriving in England as refugees a month later.
He now works in the studio next to mine in Kingston. Although tormented by the plight that his engulfed his homeland, the artist has resumed work, showing some of the renowned resilience of his compatriots.
“Now in Ukraine, bombings and shelling are wiping out houses, streets and entire cities, and there is no end in sight,” he reflects. “My studio near Kyiv was destroyed in the first hours of the war, and the road along which we left to save our children (my stepdaughter and youngest son), as I later learned, was lined with dozens of shot and burned cars of those who were less fortunate than us.
Asked about his future plans, he says: “Previously, journalists often asked me this question, and it was natural and ordinary. Now, when I don’t even know whether my country has a future, this is a difficult question. Sometimes, it seemed to me that I was too prosperous to become a ‘great’ artist. Now, I have a second life and a second chance to start from scratch. I know how the world can collapse overnight, and I have something to say to this world.”
As Alexander begins a new chapter in his artistic journey, Kingston Upon Thames serves as both a refuge and an inspiration. His recent public art installations include “Lady Godiva” in Kingston Upon Thames, “Social Spring” in Bexley’s Winter Sculpture Park, and “Diversity,” which secured second place in the Croydon Public Art Commission.
“I still feel euphoria from visiting museums and galleries in London and simply walking along these streets, squares and parks. I like Britain and the British people, the relationships between people, cultural diversity, and the combination of modernity and antiquity.”
However, he is haunted by the fact that his tiny home village of Tokmak is occupied by Russians. “My father, my sister, my nephew and his family, many friends and acquaintances, my childhood drawings, my first sculptures, and places dear to my heart remain there. Everything that you keep in the very depths of your soul, in your core, that makes up your character, your spine, which has always been a power, a source of inner strength. Now, there are foreign soldiers, foreign orders, endless cannonades and danger in the air.”
The sculptor, once deeply rooted in Ukrainian soil, now finds himself adapting to a new environment, carrying with him the weight of his past and the hope for a brighter future. His story exemplifies the transformative power of art in times of adversity, showcasing the ability of creativity to thrive even in the face of uncertainty.
Alexander Lidagovsky https://www.instagram.com/alexlidagovsky/
