Bridge of Sunflowers showcases young Ukrainian artists at Manchester Central Library

An exhibition exploring the experiences of young Ukrainian artists has opened at Manchester Central Library.

Bridge of Sunflowers features works by artists from the city of Lviv, presenting a unique collection which examines the ongoing impact of the war in Ukraine.

Participants were supported by the Sunflower Dreams Project, which showcases the work of Ukrainian children in exhibitions across the European Union, the United Kingdom and North America.

In addition to the work created by Ukrainian artists, creative responses from Manchester school children are displayed alongside. These pieces of art are the outcome of creative workshops run by arts charity Never Such Innocence, which has helped provide young people with a voice on the subject of conflict.

This is the latest initiative which seeks to deepen the relationship between Manchester and Lviv, following on from 2024 when Manchester Libraries was twinned with the Lviv Regional Youth Library.

The exhibition will run until Fri 27 Feb and can be found on the ground floor and first floor reading room of the Manchester Central Library. At the end of its stay in Manchester, the exhibition will move to the Lviv Regional Youth Library.

Councillor John Hacking, Executive Member for Skills, Employment and Leisure, said: “We have been incredibly proud of our partnership with Lviv and helping to share stories around the ongoing conflict.

“We so often find that art springs forth from some of the most challenging circumstances and this exhibition is no different. It will be both a poignant and uplifting experience to see art created by these young artists whose lives have been touched by war.

“And by our own Mancunian artists contributing, we will in our own way be showing solidarity with the people of Lviv and Ukraine.”