The digital gallery Art for Freedom: Unseen Civilians tells the stories of Ukrainian civilians who have become hostages of war
people illegally detained by Russia in prisons, penal colonies, and detention centers, often without trial, charges, or even acknowledgment of their captivity.
These are stories of ordinary people: teachers, musicians, students, priests, engineers, mayors, and pensioners. They were not combatants. They should never have been taken prisoner. And yet they vanished — with neither their families nor human rights defenders knowing where they are or what condition they’re in.
Why does it matter?
Civilians in captivity have no legal status.
International law offers no mechanism for their return.
In these conditions, visibility is protection. Public attention is a chance.
What will you find on this website?
This platform features a series of illustrations created by artists from Ukraine, Germany, France, and Portugal — each one visualizing the real story of an individual civilian prisoner.
Each image is an attempt to restore a name, a voice, and dignity to someone whom the system tries to erase.
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An exhibition that can be anywhere
This project is not just online. We’ve launched a Self-hosted Exhibition format — allowing anyone to download a ready-to-print exhibition pack and present it in their city, university, gallery, or even a local café.
It’s your way to join a growing movement of solidarity
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Join the movement
We welcome collaboration.
If you’re an artist, illustrator, or visual storyteller who shares our values of freedom, dignity, and human rights — send us your work dedicated to the issue of unlawfully detained civilians.
We will include it in this digital gallery so that another voice can be seen and heard.
Get to know the real stories of Ukrainian civilians held in Russian captivity — they may serve as the foundation for your future piece.
The project is implemented with the support of the Heinrich Böll Foundation, Kyiv Office – Ukraine.
