PR Army co-organized a series of exhibitions about civilian hostages, Art for freedom

Organised in collaboration with the Embassy of Ukraine in the Portuguese Republic, Nova School of Business and Economics, and the Estoril Conference, the exhibition highlights the power of cross-sector partnerships in tackling critical global human rights challenges.

About the Exhibition

‍"Art for Freedom: Unseen Civilians" uses graphic art to transform the harrowing stories of Ukrainian civilian hostages into compelling visual narratives. The exhibition is set to travel to Kyiv, Berlin, Lisbon, and Paris, engaging European audiences with the human cost of the ongoing war in Ukraine and calling for advocacy to pressure for the release of those unlawfully detained.

A standout feature of this project is the work of Portuguese illustrator Mariana Rio. A seasoned artist from Porto with over a decade of experience, Mariana’s illustrations have been published in Portugal, Spain, Italy, Poland, Mexico, and other countries. Her accolades include the Baba Kamo Illustration Award and recognition from the Bologna Children's Book Fair.

For this project, Mariana created an illustration dedicated to the story of Ivan Remez:
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On March 6, 2022, in Hostomel, Russian forces detained 31-year-old Ivan Remez while he was delivering humanitarian aid to elderly people on his bicycle. Months later, his girlfriend learned from released prisoners of war that Ivan had been seen in Detention Facility No. 1 in Kursk. Despite persistent searches, the family could only confirm his captivity after receiving an anonymous audio recording. Today, Ivan is believed to remain in a prison on Russian territory.Through this exhibition, we strive to amplify the stories of those whose voices remain unheard.

The opening ceremony began with remarks from Maryna Mykhailenko, Ambassador of Ukraine to the Portuguese Republic.This project seeks to raise awareness, foster empathy, and mobilize international action at a time when attention to Ukraine’s plight risks waning amidst other global crises. By presenting the exhibition at prominent venues across Europe, the organisers aim to inspire greater public and political commitment to addressing these pressing human rights issues.