A social documentary photoproject "Ukrainian women. Power & Resilience" by photographer Oksana Lytvynenko was launched on August 23rd as part of the Ukraine Fest in Swindon. Organised by the local community group Swindon Welcomes Ukraine, the project showcases the powerful stories and portraits of Ukrainian women who have found refuge in the UK.
The exhibition features photographs and personal accounts of the first 32 women in the project. The subjects, who hail from various cities across Ukraine, were photographed in different locations throughout England.
Project photographer Oksana Lytvynenko deliberately chose a diverse group of women, without regard to age, status, location, or background. "For me, it was important to highlight the feelings these women are experiencing—what has traumatised them and what has helped them become stronger," says Oksana, who is also has education in social psychology.
Before the full-scale war, she worked as a family photographer for over 10 years in Kyiv. After a period of re-evaluation, she earned a degree in psychology. The full-scale invasion caused her to stop shooting, but over time, she felt a strong need to return to photography with a new vision. Oksana based in Swindon now.
"Some women were able to quickly adapt and rebuild their lives. Others were not. Both deserve respect and attention, particularly respect for the emotions they are navigating. The war has left a mark on everyone, and no one has the right to ignore or devalue their pain." - says Oksana.
The stories document the women's journeys, from the start of the war and their decisions to leave Ukraine, to their experiences in host countries before arriving in the UK and their relationships with British host families. They also detail the women's paths to independence, including finding work, learning the language, and becoming self-sufficient. Oksana notes that this process has been easier for some than others, and many are still on their journey.
With Oksana's background in psychology, the interviews delve deeply into the emotional aspects of their experiences. The women describe what helped them stay emotionally stable and how they navigated mental health challenges. Many recount seeking professional support. They also highlight how work, hobbies, volunteering, and community involvement helped them maintain their mental health. Many stories express profound gratitude towards their British hosts, with whom they continue to maintain close relationships.
The women also speak frankly about the difficulties they faced in finding work, including language barriers, cultural differences, communication styles, and mismatched qualifications. A recurring theme is survivor's guilt, and the ways in which the women worked to process this feeling to enable them to move forward and thrive.
The stories also reveal how the women process news from home, how they have learned to cry over tragic events and personal failures, yet still find a way to smile and appreciate their new, peaceful lives. The project captures a dynamic shift in emotions, as initial trauma- filled memories transition into a sense of stability and future optimism.
A central theme of the project is the women's personal transformation—how their priorities and mindsets have shifted. Many have found the strength and energy to pursue further education, new careers, start businesses, bought property.
A key mission of the project is to highlight the value of every individual's experience and to validate the stories of these women. It underscores that their feelings are important and should not be dismissed, and that their choice to seek safety is a fundamental human right. The project served as an opportunity for the participants to reflect and analyse their lives over the past three years.
Oksana travels directly to the women to capture their stories. Some of them has been captured in the photostudio, which provided local community “Swindon Welcomes Ukraine”. She photograps them as they tell the story, which helps her capture the most emotional shots. At the exhibition, the project was presented through five photographs of each woman that depicated a range of emotions, from negative to positive. A short version of each woman’s story was displayed alongside the photos. The full story was availiable on the website www.oksanalytvynenko.com, and exhibition visitors could read it by scanning QR code.
The project will feature 100 women and Oksana continues her work on the project. “I’ve received strong, powerful and positive feedback from the project participiants, community and visitors of exhibition. I feel the importance and relevance of raising this topic, as well as its positive impact on the women involved in the project and those who are inspired by these stories” Oksana says.
Oksana, her daughter Karolina and Mayor os Swindon Cllr Fay Howard
