Peterborough artist Nick Leniuk, who is a first-generation Canadian with Ukrainian heritage, is raising funds for humanitarian efforts in Ukraine by auctioning a special work of art.
Best known for his tree sculptures, Leniuk has created a piece called “Rise Above” that features a hand-carved serpentine stone sunflower — the national flower of Ukraine — with a peace emblem centre. Mounted on a raw board stained with the colours of the Ukranian flag, the work measures 21.5 inches wide by 13.5 inches tall and is strung for wall mounting.
When looking for a sunflower to incorporate into the piece, Leniuk connected with an artist on Instagram named Yana @yamurchik.art — who happens to be Russian — and asked her if he could use her sunflower design. She was thrilled to have Nick use her design.
“A piece of my soul is embedded in each of my illustrations,” Yana says. “Thank you Nick for the opportunity to be involved in a good cause. I believe that only kindness and participation will save this world.”
Leniuk is accepting bids for “Rise Above” until 4 p.m. next Monday (March 28) through direct message via his Instagram and Facebook accounts. He will donate all proceeds from the auction to the Canada Ukraine Foundation-Ukrainian Canadian Congress.
Leniuk’s personal connection with Ukraine comes through his father Antony, who immigrated to Canada from Ukraine after World War II. He settled in Kapuskasing in Ontario, got married, and raised five children.
In May 2020, Leniuk was planning a visit to Ivano-Frankivsk in Ukraine to bury some of his father’s ashes at the grave site of his grandparents. He had to cancel the trip because of the pandemic but hopes to be able to visit his father’s birthplace in the future.
For more information on Leniuk’s fundraising effort or to view the art piece in person, email him at nleniuk@cogeco.ca.
