Icons on Ammo Boxes: Christian Art, of Hope and Sorrow, from the war in Ukraine

Icons on Ammo Boxes: Christian Art, of Hope and Sorrow, from the war in Ukraine

Since 2015, shortly after the outbreak of war between Russia and Ukraine, artists Sonia Atlantova and Oleksandr Klymenko have transformed fragments of ammunition boxes recovered from the front lines into sacred works of art. Drawing from the centuries-old tradition of Orthodox icon writing, their internationally recognized Icons on Ammo Boxes project bears witness to the tragedy of war while offering prayer and hope for a holy and just peace.

In March 2026, Fairfield University’s Center for Social Impact and Center for Arts & Minds are honored to host an exhibition of 27 of these powerful works at Fairfield Downtown (1720 Post Road, Fairfield, CT).

Featured in the Exhibition

The exhibit includes the artists’ Mariupol Deisis (2022), a striking series created in response to the near-total destruction of the city of Mariupol in 2022. Following the traditional Deisis motif — Christ in Majesty flanked by the Virgin Mary and St. John the Baptist in intercession — the series evokes judgment, mercy, and the plea for humanity amid devastation.

Also on display is a new 2025 Marian series dedicated to Ukrainian children held in Russian captivity. As the artists write: “Motherhood, a vital and foundational concept in society, transforms into an anti-war statement, becoming an antithesis of conflict and a symbol of hope.” These works reflect both the suffering of the innocent and the hope for freedom and restoration.

The exhibition will also feature:

• A newly created icon of St. Ignatius of Loyola, made exclusively for the Fairfield exhibit.
• The icon of the Mother of God with Child presented to Pope Leo XIV by Ukraine’s President and First Lady.

Exhibition Details

Gallery Exhibition
March 16 – May 22, 2026
Fairfield Downtown
1720 Post Road, Fairfield, CT

Public Opening Lecture & Panel
March 31, 2026 | 5:00 p.m.
Fairfield Theatre Company StageOne (70 Sanford St., Fairfield, CT)
Reception to follow in the gallery space at Fairfield Downtown until 8:00 p.m.

This event is free and open to the public. See link below to register.

Class & Group Visits

Faculty and staff interested in arranging a class or group visit between March 16 and May 22 are invited to contact Mary Crimmins, Administrative Coordinator for the Center for Social Impact, at mcrimmins@fairfield.edu. The gallery can accommodate 35 guests in a lecture-style setup or 24 in a classroom configuration.

https://events.fairfield.edu/event/icons-on-ammo-boxes-christian-art-of-hope-and-sorrow-from-the-war-in-ukraine