Embroidered with pain

A media project and exhibition raising awareness of wartime sexual violence through embroidered rushnyks, targeting survivors and the public to promote healing and support

The media project ‘Embroidered with Pain’ aimed to raise awareness of wartime sexual violence and support survivors by telling their stories through embroidered rushnyks. The objective was to change public attitudes, spark open discussion, and increase understanding of these sensitive issues. We aimed to evoke strong emotions, as people often avoid these topics as a form of psychological self-defense. Participants learned about the survivors’ stories, traditional Ukrainian embroidery, and were encouraged to visit the project’s website for more information, legal and psychological support.

We sought to inspire advocacy for survivors, raising awareness both within Ukraine and globally. The ultimate goal was to bring visibility to the issue, encourage survivors to seek help, and expand the campaign’s reach through media and public engagement.

The creative idea behind ‘Embroidered with Pain’ was to use the cultural symbol of embroidered rushnyks to tell the untold stories of wartime sexual violence. Traditional rushnyks, woven with symbolic meaning, served as both art and a powerful communication tool, turning each piece into a visual narrative of a survivor’s experience. This artistic approach created emotional and cultural bridge, allowing the audience to engage with a painful topic that people often avoid.
To amplify the impact, we combined physical exhibitions with digital innovation. QR codes placed at the exhibition directed visitors to a website, where they could explore the stories in-depth, learn the meanings of each embroidered symbol, and find legal and psychological support. The website also allowed a global audience to connect with the project, turning a local exhibition into a digital movement. This integration of art, technology, and cultural heritage made the project both innovative and emotionally resonant