Ukraine: Life Un/Broken - Fundraising Night: Exhibition, Screening & Artist Talk

Part of the Photoworks Festival 2026, this exhibition launch, personally introduced by the artists, is an evening event where art and purpose come together to raise funds for Ukraine.

Join us for a special evening of documentary film and photography exploring the human cost of the ongoing war in Ukraine with two acclaimed Ukrainian photographers who have documented and experienced it firsthand.

In a kaleidoscope of fragments of life during the war, Dasha Tenditna presents a selection of work from Ukraine and Igor Chekachkov presents his new photo diary 100 Days of War.

From Not Alone © Dasha Tenditna

This event draws attention to the conflict that has faded from the public eye, yet remains as devastatingly real as ever. Through deeply personal documentary accounts, the evening traces Ukraine's journey from the Revolution of Dignity to the full-scale invasion and its lasting aftermath. Intimate photographs and the award-winning film Nation on Fire (2014, Dir Stephan Bookas, Creative Producer Alla Dryzhak) reveal the realities behind the headlines - families torn apart, homes lost, civilians turned soldiers, and life continuing despite unimaginable loss.

From 100 Days of War © Igor Chekachkov

After a chance to explore the exhibition, Nina Emett will host a live discussion with the artists, offering rare firsthand insight into the experiences behind the images. The evening concludes with an opportunity to purchase a signed copy of Igor’s acclaimed book, 100 Days of War.

Moving between document and memory, the book traces how a personal diary evolved into an intimate exploration of the experience of losing home and rebuilding a life elsewhere. It considers photography as both witness and medium, questioning its capacity to convey devastation on such a vast and simultaneously deeply personal scale.

Following the Private View event, the exhibition stays on display at POST 17-18 October (11:00 - 16:00 free entry).

Programme:

6pm - Doors open

6.30pm - Documentary screening: Nation on Fire

7.30 - 8.30 pm - Artist talk with photographers and filmmakers, hosted by Nina Emett

8.30pm - Book signing by Igor Chekachkov 100 Days of War

9.00pm - Evening concludes

Please note this event is 18+

This event is a fundraiser, with all profits donated to Ukrainian charities:

Community Foundation of Kherson “Zakhyst” provides vital support to Kherson, a frontline city in the south of Ukraine, which is heavily affected by the war, shelling and drone attacks targeting the local population. “Zakhyst” provides direct support to medical and social institutions operating under difficult wartime conditions, including hospitals and emergency services, as well as to local residents in need.
zahyst.ks.ua/en/golovna-2/

City of Goodness is Ukraine’s largest shelter for children, women and animals. The shelter supports children evacuated because of the war, families affected by violence and domestic abuse, and children requiring palliative care. Its mission is to provide a safe haven and support for mothers and children facing difficult life circumstances.
misto-dobra.com.ua/en/

Photographer Biographies:

Igor Chekachkov began his career in 2008 as a photojournalist, covering a wide range of cultural, mass, and sporting events. This foundation eventually led him toward art photography, where he continues to explore the boundaries between public and private spaces, as well as the impact of digital technologies and algorithms on the image. Following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, his focus shifted toward themes of Ukrainian identity and the concept of home. Chekachkov’s photographs have been exhibited internationally in solo and group exhibitions, and published in Forbes, National Geographic, The Guardian, Le Monde. His new book “100 Days of War” is published by André Frère Éditions.

https://chekachkov.com/

Dasha Tenditna is a Ukrainian portrait and documentary photographer based in Cambridge, UK. Her practice is rooted in her interest in people and the ways in which individual lives are shaped by their social environments. After fleeing the war in Ukraine in 2022, Dasha relocated to Cambridge while maintaining a close connection to Ukraine through her documentary work. Working at the intersection of portraiture, documentary photography, and social anthropology, her projects explore difficult or overlooked subjects, including domestic violence, the consequences of war, and the experiences of marginalised and underrepresented communities. Her photography has been exhibited and published in Ukraine, the USA, and the UK.

https://www.dashatenditna.com/

Ukraine: Life Un/Broken has been curated by Alla Dryzhak and Annie Verrall.

Alla Dryzhak instagram.com/alla.visuals/

Annie Verrall instagram.com/annieverrall/

We look forward to seeing you there and we greatly appreciate your support!