Overwhelming Majority? is a gesture of solidarity with the victims of Putin’s war against Ukraine. Gallerist Marina Shtager and cultural critic Denis Maksimov-Guputa set out to provide a public platform for Russian artists to express their individual and very human response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The exhibition takes its title from a recent press briefing during which Putin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov claimed that the president enjoyed the support of the “overwhelming majority” of Russians. Works included in the show are examples of art created despite threats of censorship or punishment. Collectively they provide an intimate glimpse into life on the wrong side of history, beyond news headlines and political propaganda.

Performance is one of the most effective forms of protest art, and several current examples are documented in the exhibition, including interventions by Pavel Otdelnov in Moscow and ALJOSHA in Kyiv. Evgenia Isaeva was detained within minutes of starting her recent performance in St Petersburg.

Gluklya is one of the most recognisable pseudonyms for one of Russia’s pioneers of performance and feminist art; her installation “Clothes for Demonstration Against False Election of Vladimir Putin” was included in the 56th Venice Biennale in 2015. A selection of her anti-war paintings will be featured here.

Visually striking examples include an art-protest by the anonymous group Nevoina who contrast black body bags with the white snow covering the frozen Volga, while the snow that bears Putin’s portrait slowly melts away in the anonymously submitted video piece “Russian Spring”.

Artists are taking part anonymously or under pseudonyms as they are facing imprisonment for criticising the Russian government. Artworks are continuing to arrive as more artists respond to the curators’ call.

The exhibition opens with a live performance by Katya Granova on 5 April. In a curator’s talk on 6 April Denis Maksimov-Gupta shares insights into Russian history, perceived and real Russophobia and the role of contemporary art in achieving a more nuanced understanding of contemporary Russia.

The proceeds from all artwork sales will be directed to the Ukranian Emergency Art Fund.

Overwhelming Majority?

6 – 10 April 2022

Opening Preview: Tuesday 5 April 2022, 7 pm

Shtager Gallery | 117 Curtain Road | London EC2A 3AD