"I make him stately, important and needed by our state"

Nikolai Shmatko presented his new artwork – a bust of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskyi.

According to the author, he created this bust for the history of times: "I was creating it with a certain satisfaction based on hope. I create markings on the timeline – who, when and why. My life is dedicated not only to the world history but also to the history of Ukrainian leaders."

As it is known, Nikolai Shmatko created a number of busts of leaders of our time, including images of US President Donald Trump and Melania Trump: "I am not going to list all those created by me. It doesn't mean that I am playing politics or something like that. I am just not interested in landscapes, I am interested in working with people and dealing with those pillars of power who lead people – the results of their work will be visible when they go to the next world."

"Zelenskyi represents a completely new formation – he is young and interesting. What hopes do I have in connection with this artwork? None. I am creating history, first of all. At every stage I am trying to reveal the personality and I show the idea and opportunity to serve one's country and people."

Just to remind: Nikolai Shmatko has been living at a school basement in Pereyaslav-Khmelnitskiy, where he was invited and hosted by the city authorities. Today he is a hostage of circumstances and cannot return to Donbass with his huge art collection.

Pereyaslav-Khmelnitskiy, 15.07.2019 (photos of Rafael Shmatko)