“ANXIOUS WOMEN” by Aleksandra Klitina (UKR)

“ANXIOUS WOMEN” – A Feminine Reflection on War, Power, and Survival
by Aleksandra Klitina (UKR)
14.–17. August 2025

This August, Galleri Schaeffers Gate 5 in Oslo presents “Anxious Women”, the debut solo exhibition in Norway by Ukrainian artist Aleksandra Klitina — a compelling visual narrative of femininity, resistance, and psychological endurance amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. The exhibition runs from 14. to 17. August 2025 and brings together painting, video, and installation in a vivid, unflinching exploration of war from a distinctly female gaze.

Klitina, a former Ukrainian politician turned emerging artist, channels the tension of personal and national trauma into artworks that oscillate between beauty and brutality, irony and grief. Her practice is raw and direct, yet layered with symbolism and political critique—drawing the viewer into a psychological space where traditional narratives of heroism and power collapse.

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A FEMINIST LENS ON WAR

In “Anxious Women”, Klitina challenges the silence surrounding women’s experiences in wartime—not only as victims or symbols of peace, but as active agents, fighters, thinkers, and survivors. Her large-format paintings—rendered in acrylics, pastels, glitter, and wallpaper—serve as both protest and confession. Works such as “I Can’t Close My Eyes”, “Black Hole”, and “Drones’ Attack” viscerally capture the invisible toll of war: insomnia, grief, paranoia, rage.

The controversial piece “Pregnant Hitler”—a surreal, satirical image that critiques the persistence of authoritarian ideologies and the performative nature of diplomacy. It is both a warning and a lament: a modern allegory painted with bold colors and sharp intent.

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FILM SCREENING: “A Normal Day”: The Art of Transnational Solidarity

Among the most poignant works is the video installation “A Normal Day”, documenting the daily life of a Norwegian woman serving in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. With quiet intensity, the short film offers an intimate, almost meditative reflection on duty, isolation, and female courage. It dismantles the distance between countries and conflicts, reminding us that the defense of freedom is a shared responsibility—and that women, too, carry arms and burdens in war.

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ART AS ACTION: A Charity Exhibition for Ukrainian Women in Uniform

More than a cultural event, “Anxious Women” is also a humanitarian effort. All artworks are available for sale, and proceeds will go directly to support Ukrainian women serving in the military—through the purchase of thermal gear, winter clothing, and tactical essentials.

Charitable support is administered through Veteran Aid Ukraine, a foundation established by Norwegian military veterans to ensure secure and transparent aid delivery directly to women on the front lines. This structure ensures both accountability and meaningful impact.

In Ukraine, women now constitute a significant portion of the Armed Forces. They operate as snipers, combat medics, engineers, and frontline commanders—yet often lack the resources granted to their male counterparts. This exhibition responds not only to their artistic invisibility, but to their material needs.

http://vaukraine.com/about-us
http://facebook.com/veteranaidukraine
http://instagram.com/veteranaidukraine/?hl=en

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About the Artist: ALEKSANDRA KLITINA

Aleksandra Klitina began painting only five years ago, following a turbulent career in public office. A former reformist in the Ukrainian government, her transition to art was as much personal catharsis as political resistance. She studied at the Kyiv School of Contemporary Art (2021–2022) and has exhibited in Kyiv, Bad Aibling (Germany), and now Oslo.

Klitina’s work defies neat categorization. Combining naïve stylization with sharp feminist critique, her practice involves unexpected materials—wallpaper, glitter, battlefield relics, even toilet paper.

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EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTS

• “I Can’t Close My Eyes” – A haunting psychological self-portrait of insomnia and emotional exhaustion.

• “Pregnant Hitler” – A provocative allegory critiquing authoritarianism, militarism, and failed diplomacy

• “Drones’ Attack” & “Air Raids” – Abstract depictions of constant psychological siege

• “Vase” – An installation incorporating a Russian mercenary’s helmet and dried flowers, reimagining war trophies through the female lens

• “A Normal Day” – Video artwork featuring a Norwegian woman fighting in Ukraine

• “Anxious Night” & “Smoke” – Sensory portraits of fear, ritual, and feminine endurance

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ALEKSANDRA KLITINA – Curriculum Vitae

Art Education:

• – Attended Art School in Kyiv in 1990.
• – The School of Contemporary Art in Kyiv from 2021-2022.

Exhibitions:

• – Personal exhibition at Sky Hotel in Kyiv in 2021.
• – Participated in an exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Art Problems on February 3, 2022.
• – Participated in the Biennale 2022 at the MUSE pavilion.
• – Personal exhibition titled “Lightless,” dedicated to the war in Ukraine, in Bad Aibling, Germany in 2023.
• – Participation of the exhibition in Museum of Kyiv “Dreams” January 2024
• – Participation of the exhibition of naïve art in Kyiv gallery, Imagine Point February 2024

Artist Statement:

• In my artistic practice, I delve into the detrimental impact of toxic masculinity stereotypes on a global scale, including warfare, environmental degradation, dictatorships, and violence. Through my work, I aim to provide a female perspective of the world, shedding light on instances of sexism and objectification. In Ukraine, gender equality remains elusive, and women are often viewed as mere objects within society. This limited perception leads to widespread aggression when women attempt to transcend these imposed boundaries. Also, I illustrate the cruelty and violence inflicted upon women during times of war.
  

EXHIBITION DETAILS

 Galleri • Studio Schæffers Gate 5
Schæffers gate 5, 0558 Oslo, Norway

 www.schaeffersgate5.no
 (+47) 452 18 078
 14.–17. August 2025
 Admission: Free
 All artworks for sale – 100% of proceeds support Ukrainian women soldiers