National Art Museum of Catalonia to display artworks of exiled Ukrainian artists

The National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC) is preparing a space to display the artwork of exiled Ukrainians. The gallery will also welcome works by creators still based in the country, painting under Russian bombing. 

Exiled artists’ pieces will be placed in the educArt room, next to the main Oval hall. The idea is to host some artists that left their country in 2014 after conflicts arose in their home country.

The room will serve as a "hosting office," MNAC director Pepe Serra said, as there are some Ukrainians that are still in touch with other compatriots still in their country. The idea is for these designers to send their pieces and for the Catalan museum to exhibit them. 

The initiative started after some Ukrainians residing in Barcelona got in touch with MNAC asking for help. The gallery plans to host more artists as they flee the country under invasion by Russia. 

Catalonia, a humanitarian aid point

Catalan residents, the government, and corporations have been vocal in their assistance to Ukrainians. Since day one of the invasion, the cabinet offered hostels for people that could not return to their country of origin because of the war. 

At the same time, citizens arranged collection points for food, clothes, and medicines to be sent to the Eastern European nation. 

The conflict began on February 24 and up to 1,200 refugees have already arrived in Catalonia, but the real number could be as high as 5,000.