A TOURING exhibition of photographs by different generations of Ukrainian people is set to take place at the Turnpike Gallery.

Since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the concept of ‘home’ has become crucial to Ukraine’s social and cultural landscapes.

In response to this, in May 2023 Open Eye Gallery and Ukrainian Photographies (curators Viktoria Bavykina and Max Gorbatskyi) developed the Home programme across Liverpool.

Home brought together a diverse selection of work by Ukrainian photographers, responsive poems by prominent UK poets, and contributions from curators across Europe who offered their interpretations of the work.

The exhibition is now touring the UK, supported with funding from Arts Council England.

The exhibition at The Turnpike Gallery will also feature works by photography students from Wigan and Leigh College, created in response to the topic of “Home”, with artwork presented on the digital screen in the gallery.

A publication by Harley Bainbridge, a local photographer who has been working with three displaced Ukrainian families now living in Wigan, will also accompany the exhibition.

The publication tells part of their story and their experience of displacement and relocation to the UK.

Cllr Chris Ready, cabinet member for communities at Wigan Council, said: “We’re really proud to support Ukrainian culture through this esteemed exhibition at the Turnpike Gallery.

“Arts and culture is incredibly important for bringing communities together and offering great insight into different people’s experiences.

“We are looking forward to inviting audiences into the Turnpike to explore the stories behind the images reflecting on the profound impact of war, hope and survival.”

The exhibition offers a poignant depiction of life in present-day Ukraine from eight photographers: Igor Chekachkov, Alexander Chekmenev, Nazar Furyk, Mykhaylo Palinchak, Polina Polikarpova, Andrii Rachynskyi, Daria Svertilova, and Elena Subach.

The Home programme was first commissioned to coincide with Eurovision 2023, hosted on behalf of Ukraine. Home: Ukrainian Photography, UK Words is a touring exhibition funded by Arts Council England, taking place in five cities across the UK, with a final show in UK Parliament in February 2025.

At each location, the tour programme engages with displaced Ukrainians now living in the UK, working with photographer Igor Chekachkov on his series Daily Lives of the Displaced (2022 – ongoing).

The exhibition will take place from 30 Nov – 25 Jan with a celebration event taking place on December 6 at 6pm at the Turnpike.