Anton Shebetko
To Know Us Better
July 29 - August 31 2022

Anton Shebetko (1990, Ukraine) portrays Queer Ukrainians who are living or temporarily staying in Europe. The series shows people who moved to Europe after Russia's occupation of Crimea, the war in the East in 2014 and Russia's full invasion in 2022. The portraits and heartfelt interviews in this exhibition document their experiences and hopes for a better future.

Anton Shebetko uses extensive research to highlight the Queer history of Ukraine and its absence in this nation's public memory. He works actively with members of the Ukrainian LGBTQ+ community who flourished as a community, despite living in a conservative Ukrainian society. Through interviews and archival research, Shebetko strives to construct a public memory and raise awareness for the national queer community.

Alongside personal accounts, a timeline has been drawn that highlights key moments in the history of this community. The timeline starts with the historical oppression and leads toward gained visibility over the past few years.