University of Nottingham: Nottingham artist decorates 100 eggs using ancient Ukrainian method to raise money for the people of Ukraine
One hundred egg shells, ornately decorated by a Nottingham artist using Pysanky art, are on display in the city to raise money for the people of Ukraine.
During a sell-out launch event, the eggs raised more than £600 for the Disaster Emergencies Committee (DEC)’s Ukraine Appeal, which brings together 15 leading UK aid charities to raise funds quickly and efficiently at times of crisis overseas.
Tory Hayward, a Senior Research Development Manager at the University of Nottingham, has been supported to create the exhibition by local charity City Arts.
A St Ann’s resident, Tory has received support through City Arts’ RESIDENCE project, where panels of ‘Community Curators’ award bursaries of £1200 to Nottingham artists that they believe could make a difference in their community.
Anastasiia Kliuha, a Nottingham Research Fellow, with artist Tory Hayward
Pysanky is an ancient Ukrainian folk tradition. Eggs are decorated using a wax-resist method. It is believed that for each egg decorated, good will triumph over evil for another year.
Tory has invested around 200 hours into the endeavour, painting a mixture of hen, goose and rhea eggs. She has been supported by Nottingham’s Ukrainian community, including students at the University of Nottingham who have also decorated eggs for the exhibition.
Ukrainian national, Anastasiia Kliuha, a Nottingham Research Fellow, said she was delighted to share this tradition with people in Nottingham: “Pysanka is a strong connection with my land and my family. It is part of my identity.”
Tory Hayward 100 eggs for Ukraine
I’m delighted to provide a platform for this special tradition in Nottingham. I am humbled by the support this project has received so far and I hope will be a practical and symbolic act of support for Ukraine which our whole community can participate in.
Tory Hayward, Senior Research Development Manager in the Faculty of Social Sciences
Suzannah Bedford, Director of City Arts, said: “We are delighted to be supporting this fantastic creative project by St Ann’s-based artist Tory Hayward. The exhibition is a beautiful example of how communities can collaborate with artists to commission work that is relevant to them. We hope the people of Nottingham will be inspired by this ancient Ukrainian folk art tradition.”
The exhibition, ‘100 Eggs for Ukraine’ runs until 22 September 2022. It can be seen in the Window Gallery at City Arts, Mondays to Thursdays, between 10:30am – 5pm. The eggs are available to buy online for collection once the exhibition has finished with all proceeds donated to the DEC Ukraine appeal.