Art by Ukrainian children blooms in Prague metro's 'Underground Garden'

A collection of artwork created by Ukrainian children from Kharkiv, titled Underground Garden, was unveiled at Prague’s Národní třída metro station this weekend. The exhibition will remain on display through next December, symbolizing resilience and hope amidst war.

The collection, developed by young artists from the Kharkiv-based studio Aza Nizi Maza, reflects the experiences of families forced to seek refuge in Ukrainian metro stations during the Russian invasion in 2022. The children found solace in art, using it as a means to process and endure the challenges of living in underground shelters.

The metro location of the exhibition is highly symbolic, connecting to the spring of 2022, when Kharkiv residents sought safety in metro stations amid relentless shelling. At that time, the Aza Nizi Maza children painted murals in one of Kharkiv’s metro stations, which remain cherished by the local community.

"The exhibition of artworks by the children of Kharkiv in the Národní třída metro station in Prague is not only an artistic, but above all a strongly symbolic gesture," Prague Deputy Mayor Jiří Pospíšil states through a press release.

"Art has the power to transcend borders and bring people together, and it is in this spirit that we are trying to support these young artists and their stories. It is important to see that hope and joy can be born even in the darkest moments."

The exhibit at the Národní třída metro station offers commuters and visitors an opportunity to reflect on the power of art and its role in fostering connections during times of crisis. Pospíšil noted the proximity of the exhibition to locations in Prague associated with the Czech Republic’s own fight for democracy in 1989.

"The works are symbolically placed in the metro next to a place that played an important role in the restoration of freedom and democracy in our country," he states. "I hope that this will soon happen for Ukrainians as well."

The original Underground Garden artworks are also being displayed at Prague City Gallery’s Troja Chateau stables until Dec. 31. The exhibition is free and open to visitors daily, except Mondays, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Fridays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Magdalena Juříková, Director of Prague City Gallery, described the artworks as “timeless and full of optimism,” despite the difficult conditions under which they were created.

"Through their art, these children remind us that hope persists even in the darkest moments," adds Gabriela Lněničková, a member of Prague’s City Assembly. "Their work demonstrates the strength of the human spirit, even amid war."

The Underground Garden exhibitions in Prague are part of a broader cultural exchange, with a documentary film about the project currently in development. More information about the project can be found at the I Am Ukrainian website.