British artist Piers Secunda will present Nature Morte: The Extermination of Ukraine at Fitzrovia Gallery, London, from 12 August to 6 September 2026. The exhibition examines the systematic destruction of Ukraine’s cultural heritage in the wake of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Drawing on research conducted during visits to Ukraine in 2024 and 2026, it combines still-life painting and documentary evidence to explore the relationship between food, identity and cultural survival.
At first glance, the works depict traditional Ukrainian dishes and their ingredients. However, the paintings, created using ink made from charcoal collected in Kharkiv — the site of one of the first government buildings destroyed during the 2022 invasion — serve as entry points to a broader archive of evidence. Arranged in pyramid formations reflecting structures of power, each work is linked via QR code to supporting evidence relating to the destruction of cultural sites, the looting of artefacts and the forced deportation of Ukrainian children.
The exhibition also includes a map charting more than 5,000 recorded instances of damage to cultural sites across Ukraine as well as a 40-minute documentary by filmmaker David Miller, Secunda’s long-time collaborator. Known for his research-led practice investigating the destruction of culture, Secunda’s previous projects have informed government inquiries and international heritage initiatives, with works now held in collections including the British Museum and the V&A.
