Ukrainian artist creates portrait of Putin with 5,000 rounds of bullet

A Ukrainian artist created a portrait of Russian President Vladimir Putin with 5, 000 recovered bullet shells in eastern Ukraine, where a bloody conflict clashes with pro-Russian separatists and the Kiev military. In a black suit and elegant tie, Vladimir stares at the viewer. The two-meter-high play dominates the 33-year-old studio of Daria Martchenko, the author of the portrait titled "The Face of War."

The artist admitted that at first she was a little afraid of sleeping in the same room in which the portrait was, but then she got used to it. Martchenko also points out that the work is kind of changeable, depending on the lighting. "When we see that he changes his expression, it reveals certain things. In my opinion, this war is different from others because it is based on lies, " he explains.

Each of the 5, 000 cartridges that make up the portrait were recovered in eastern Ukraine. Many were picked up by her boyfriend, who was heavily involved in the popular movement that led to the ousting of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovich in February 2014. Other friends, fighting the pro-Russians, found other bullets, fired from both sides. .

In 15 months, the conflict left more than 6, 800 dead, mostly in Kiev, and Westerners accuse Russia of supporting the rebels economically and militarily, which Moscow belies. "Unfortunately, guera gives me a lot of material to work with, " says Martchenko. The artist thinks Putin must already be aware of her work. "Maybe I'm a little naive, but I hope he wonders how he wants to be remembered in history, " he concludes.

Kiev, Ukraine

Via InSummary.