While bullets still kill and maim in the war in the east, a Kyiv artist has found a tried-and-true way to keep up soldiers’ morale. He designed military-themed pin-up posters.
The posters, designed by Sviatoslav Pashchuk, feature young ladies and the same slogan at the bottom: “Separatism is bad for your health.”
Pashchuk is selling the posters to raise money for army needs. Posters sell at Hr 55 and Hr 100 for A3 and A2 format respectively. According to Pashchuk, the sales started in October but aren’t going well.
The posters are also being distributed among the soldiers in the east with the help of volunteers.
In America during World War II, pin-up girls were all about the feminine petite look, light dresses, red lips and a flirty face that was supposed to remind the soldiers about times of peace and the neighborhood girls that wait for them to return from the battlefield.
Ukrainian pin-up girls, as Pashchuk pictures them, are different.
They wear stylized army uniforms, hold guns, shells, helmets, sit or stand next to the tanks, rockets and other army equipment. They are provocatively dressed and look threatening and frivolous at the same time.
“I have always been interested in drawing erotic scenes and women in general. When the war started I combined my skills and personal attitude to the war and started drawing the pin-up posters,” Pashchuk says.
According to Pashchuk, his aim is to show that Ukrainian women are tough and confident, ready to fight and support their boyfriends, husbands, fathers, brothers, and all the men on at the front, who are fighting for Ukraine’s unity.
“Many people say that pin-up posters are not related to Ukrainian traditional art and are vulgar. But I don’t care. The volunteers who take them to war say that “my girls” do support the soldiers,” Pashchuk says.
Anastasia Sytnyk, a social projects manager, former EuroMaidan volunteer and activist, is a prototype for the girl that glorifies Ukraine’s air force.
“When Sviatoslav suggested to feature me in one of his posters, I liked the idea. I sent him my photos so he could draw the poster. I’m glad to be a part of such an army support project,” Sytnyk says.
To order a poster and help the army, send an e-mail to Pashchuk at [email protected].
Kyiv Post staff writer Bozhena Sheremeta can be reached at [email protected]
