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The Ukrainian art project Art United Us continues to deliver amazing large-scale murals like this one by Phoenix-based artist Mata Ruda. Painted on the side of a brick building in Kiev and titled “Protectress”, the new mural is according to the artist a healing representation of Berehynia, a female spirit in Slavic mythology; a goddess, hearth mother and protectoress from late 20th century Ukrainian romantic nationalism.
Located near Maidan Nezalezhnosti or Independence square, a traditional place for political rallies including the 2014 Ukrainian Revolution took place, the new mural shows the image of a female figure, an immigrant from Azerbaijan representing Berehynia. her portrait has been depicted wearing a traditional woven scarf and surrounded by sunflowers, Ukraine’s national flower. The mural stands as a tribute to Ukraine and its rich culture and history.

Art United us is an ongoing project curated by curated by Waone from Interesni Kazki, Iryna Kanishcheva and photographer Geo Leros. Images © Geo Leros

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Author: Fran

Founder and editor of Urbanite. Street Art lover who after the finishing her MA thesis on the Mexican and Norwegian muralist movement in the 1920-50s, developed a fascination for street art and graffiti that eventually led to collaborations with different art blogs, including the creation of this one.