It is not easy to work with history and memory, probably because these two concepts exist in such a strained relationship. While history is traditionally written by the so-called “victors,” memories are often questioned and not seen as valuable, especially when it comes to memories that have the potential to destabilize the existing status quo. The Grenadian artist and filmmaker Billy Gerard Frank is a master of extracting narratives that might not have been seen and heard otherwise from under the layers of lost history.

The Ukrainian singer Volodymyr Prysiazhnyi, who performs under the stage name EMIGRANT, is set on spreading the beauty of Ukrainian culture and language and telling the world about the strength and resilience of Ukrainians. His songs touch on a large variety of subjects that people of diverse backgrounds can relate to.

It is difficult to think of an art style that captures emotions better than Impressionism. It translates feelings felt in a certain moment in time, evoked by a specific place or situation, bordering on the thin line between the direct representation of reality and abstraction. Antonino Puliafico, a talented Italian artist, has chosen the work of Impressionists as one of his main inspirations. Puliafico masterfully puts his own spin on the techniques and aesthetics associated with historical art movements.

Damien Hirst is probably one of the most controversial contemporary artists in the world. While some people call his work shallow and commercial, others see it as an acute critique of the consumerist society. Hirst has even been accused of plagiarism and sued multiple times by other artists. Nevertheless, his artwork never lost its appeal and relevance and continues to be sought after by influential art collectors.

Dorothea Lange, a pioneering photographer of the Great Depression era, is rightfully credited with engraving the memories of the horrific injustice people faced during that period of US history into the collective mind. When hunger, sickness, and poverty were omnipresent in the country, she used her power, connections, and immense talent to tell stories of those who desperately needed help.

One might argue that telling a story through visual means is one of the most impactful things any artist can do. Hui Long is a surrealist photographer who successfully visualizes her experiences and emotions utilizing diverse skillset. From photography to digital art to filmmaking, Long’s abilities help her convey the human experience in all its complexity.

Many artists use portraiture to explore subjects that are considered taboo. The genre provides an opportunity to closely inspect the most intimate parts of the human experience, creating a bond between the subject, artist, and audience. The sensual psychological portraits by Maryna Yukish, an artist from Ukraine, explore desire, physicality, romantic relationships, and the new roles of women in contemporary society.