A new art show is trying to make a difference—demonstrating the warmth and compassion of the Asian community toward the people of Ukraine, while simultaneously fostering awareness of the Ukrainian situation within Asian circles.
A series of pop-up art exhibits, the show is called “One Painting One Prayer” (or OPOP for short) and it is based around works created by Asian-American artist Shih Pao Lin. “The theme is centered around praying for peace in Ukraine,” says Lin. “OPOP stands as a testament to the principles of peace and love.”
From the onset of the war, Lin embarked on a daily painting challenge, meticulously documenting his prayers for peace and meditative process. The OPOP pop-up exhibits are dedicated to assisting two Ukrainian artists who aspire to immigrate to the United States, and a portion of the sales will be used to support their legal and living expenses.
Lin Shih Pao and one of his works, The Promise of Ring A.
The initiative debuted at the Artexpo New York in April 2023 and has since expanded throughout New York City, with additional dates scheduled for late May and June. Each artwork in the show measures 5×7 inches and is meticulously crafted using mixed media.
“Through the remarkable fusion of art, spirituality and humanitarianism, this initiative showcases the Asian community’s compassion while raising awareness of the Ukrainian situation,” says Xinya Li, the curator of the show. “As the exhibits continue to unfold across New York City, attendees have the opportunity to witness the profound impact of art as a unifying force, transcending boundaries of ethnicity and nationhood.”
Artist Shih Pao Lin launching the show “One Painting One Prayer” at Artexpo New York 2023.
Li, who was born in China and graduated from the School of Visual Arts, brings a wealth of expertise to her role as curator. Recognizing the uniqueness of OPOP from its inception, Li ensured the collection’s cohesion by utilizing only two additional colors aside from ink black: yellow and blue.
“This directly corresponds to the color palette of the Ukrainian flag,” says Li. “The artworks created during similar periods exhibit a consistent style, reflecting the artist’s evolving emotions. Each piece showcases distinct brushstrokes and moods, ranging from meticulous and delicate to chaotic and impulsive, with occasional touches of lightheartedness and boldness.”
A close-up of one of Shih Pao Lin’s works.
One of the pop-up locations is the All Saints Ukrainian Church in New York City’s East Village. During a recent visit to the church, Li and Lin were moved by the hospitality and camaraderie they encountered. “Upon learning about the underlying narrative of OPOP, some individuals were moved to tears,” says Li. “Art possesses an extraordinary power to unify individuals of diverse ethnicities and nations, forging a profound connection between my community and theirs.”
In addition to her art background, Li has interned at the New York City government and boasts extensive experience in product design within the NFT field. Her diverse background has provided her with invaluable insights into the art market and crowd psychology. So where is OPOP headed next? “OPOP possesses qualities inherent in NFTs. The next focus for OPOP will be the Web 3 space,” says Li.
Curator Xinya Li with the owner of the NYC Ukrainian restaurant, Streecha.
Future pop-up locations hosting the show throughout New York City include the Ukranian Restaurant Streecha (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. through July 14), All Saints Ukrainian Church (Sundays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. through July 14 with a special event on June 11 from 1 p.m.-2 p.m.), St. George Ukrainian Catholic Church (every day from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. through June 19), the Passport to Taiwan Festival (12 p.m.-5 p.m. on May 28), Tea Art (every day from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. from May 29 to June 12) and Building 7 at Nolan Park on Governors Island (Sunday to Thursday from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. and Friday to Saturday from 7 a.m.- 11 p.m. from June 1 to July 31.
Valued at $500 each, the OPOP artworks are made accessible to a wider audience through an innovative pricing approach. Buyers are only required to pay $100 for each piece, with the remaining amount sponsored by Crystal Window & Door Systems.
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