brushes over bullets
“There is so much unspoken in this world that can only be communicated through an act of art. Art might be the only thing that makes us feel like brothers and sisters. It cuts through the politics and has the potential to save us all.” An art movement Brushes Over Bullets was launched, after Gershman’s portrait “First Face of war” (based on the iconic photograph of Wolfgang Schwan of a 52-year-old Ukrainian wounded school teacher) was sold for $100,000 at the Heritage Auctions to benefit Ukraine. Gershman continues to raise funds for Ukraine by means of her brush.
Mariupol Diary (inspired by the photograph by photojournalist Evgeny Sosnovsky) oil on canvas, 64 x 54 inches, 2022
Mariupol Diary, detail of Egor (inspired by the photograph by photojournalist Evgeny Sosnovsky) oil on canvas, 64 x 54 inches, 2022
Mariupol Diary, detail of Elena (inspired by the photograph by photojournalist Evgeny Sosnovsky) oil on canvas, 64 x 54 inches, 2022
Mariupol Diary, detail of Veronica (inspired by the photograph by Photojournalist Evgeny Sosnovsky) oil on canvas, 64 x 54 inches, 2022
First Face of War, oil on canvas, 14 X 11 inches, 2022. As I painted Elena Kurilo (inspired by the photograph of Wolfgang Schwan), a 52-year-old Ukrainian wounded school teacher, I kept thinking that she reminded me of another woman from centuries ago. I can imagine she lived her life prior to the war like Vermeer’s milkmaid: calm and beautiful. Now her elegant headgear is replaced by bandages of war - a crown of horror! This painting was sold by Heritage Auctions for $100,000 with 100 percent donated to support Ukraine.
The President (inspired by the photograph of President Zelensky during his visit to Bucha by Photojournalist Ronaldo Schemidt), oil on canvas, 42 X 42 inches, 2022
Elena (inspired by the photograph by Aris Messinis), oil on canvas, 20 X 16 inches, 2022
Ritual (inspired by Wolfgang Schwann Photograph), pastel on raw linen, 64 x 54 inches, 2022
Sergei (inspired by war correspondent Sergei Loiko's self-portrait photograph taken from the Ukrainian trenches), oil on canvas, 42 X 42 inches, 2022
Soldier (inspired by Wolfgang Schwan Photograph), oil and chalk on black and white gesso treated linen, 63 x 53 inches, 2022
Study for "Mariupol Diary" (inspired by the photograph by photojournalist Evgeny Sosnovsky) oil on canvas, 64 x 54 inches, 2022
Yegor's Diary (inspired by the photograph by photojournalist Evgeny Sosnovsky) oil on canvas, 64 x 54 inches, 2022
Tears (inspired by the photograph by Elva Etienne), oil on canvas, 42 X 42 inches, 2022
Explosion, oil on canvas, 42 X 42 inches, 2022
“However meaningless and vain, however dead life appears, the man of faith, of energy, of warmth… steps in and does something.” – Vincent van Gogh
Join the movement: post your art (painting, sculpture, poetry, film, photography, music, dancing, singing—you name it!) with the hashtag #brushesoverbullets to spread the message of support.