Marta Syrko: Sculpture Soldiers

Ukrainian photographer Marta Syrko’s series “Soldier Sculptures” is an artistic record of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Through sensitive depictions of vulnerable bodies and the human stories behind the wounds, she sheds light on the resilience and strength of soldiers, while encouraging viewers to reflect on their own perceptions of loss and how it shapes their understanding of the world. The series was on view for a short time at the Három Hét Galéria as part of the Budapest Photo Festival. Organized by the Embassy of Ukraine in Hungary and Blinken OSA Archivum, the material is now on view again at the Galeria Centralis.

Marta Syrko (1995) is a Ukrainian fine-art photographer and art director, whose works are visually stunning and thought-provoking. 

Sculpture Soldiers is Marta’s most significant humanitarian project, on which she has been working since Russia’s full-scale attack on her home country. It depicts Ukrainian soldiers who were injured in the ongoing Russian war. Marta’s art focuses on capturing the beauty and grace of the human form, reminiscent of ancient Greek sculptures. By emphasizing the tenderness and delicacy of the wounded bodies, Marta encourages us to perceive them not as imperfect or flawed but as objects of beauty and wonder. 

Through her work, Marta poses thought-provoking questions: How does losing a limb or enduring physical trauma change a person's outlook on life? How do these changes affect their relationships and interactions with others? How do they adjust to their new reality and discover meaning in their lives? By engaging with these questions and chronicling the soldiers’ journeys, Marta highlights their resilience and strength while encouraging viewers to reflect on their own perceptions of loss and how it shapes their understanding of the world. 

As a Ukrainian artist, Marta is using her voice and her art to shine a light on the situation in Ukraine, to raise awareness to the turmoil taking place in her home country. Marta Syrko’s art serves as a powerful reminder of the stark reality of war waging in the heart of Europe and the toll it exacts on individuals and society as a whole, encouraging others to pay attention to the struggles of the Ukrainian people, drawing attention to the importance of recognizing the sacrifices made by Ukrainian militaries to protect their homeland and the whole of Europe and calling on the whole civilized world to support Ukraine to put an end to this cruel, unprovoked war of aggression.