Jenny Holzer partnered with UMCA (Ukrainian Museum of Contemporary Art) and World Central Kitchen to create gifts for Ukrainian children affected by the ongoing war. These pieces—including toys, stamps, and stickers where designed with Holzer’s signature mix of hope, humor, and kindness, aiming to comfort and inspire their recipients while inviting their participation.
“We want the children to be loved and whole.”
Jenny Holzer
The Christmas gifts for 300 children from Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, Kramatorsk, Kryvyi Rih, and Zaporizhzhia, created by Jenny Holzer and UMCA in collaboration with World Central Kitchen, represent the first phase of the larger endeavor. This initiative demonstrates the artist’s support and solidarity with the youngsters of Ukraine.
Jenny Holzer is an artist who often addresses themes of war and violence in her practice. Since 2022, she has followed the events of Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine, and several of her recent works have been dedicated to this topic. During this time, Holzer has been engaged with the local art scene and, at the invitation of the Ukrainian Museum of Contemporary Art, is developing a project planned for 2025 to be realized in public spaces across Ukraine.
Jenny Holzer’s working approach is unique. As a globally renowned artist, she helps us convey the truth about this war and offers her support, creating resonance to amplify the voices of Ukrainian artists, individuals, and institutions. She has demonstrated exceptional thoughtfulness, sensitivity, compassion, and patience before approaching the realization of the project scheduled for next year. Since 2022, Jenny Holzer has also supported the team of the Kharkiv Literature Museum through our initiative Ukrainian Emergency Art Fund and provided financial assistance to implement their projects.
UMCA (Olga Balashova, Anna-Mariia Kucherenko, Ilya Zabolotnyi)
During the planning of the Christmas project, adjustments were made for security reasons due to the ongoing threat of Russian attacks. To prioritize safety, the original plan was revised to ensure the children still receive their gifts in a meaningful way.Despite these challenges, the gifts will be delivered to the children’s homes in frontline regions through World Central Kitchen’s aid delivery points, bringing moments of joy and hope in these difficult times.
WCK UA (Olga Maksiuk, WCK Ukraine Country Lead)
During the planning of the Christmas project, adjustments were made for security reasons due to the ongoing threat of Russian attacks. To prioritize safety, the original plan was revised to ensure the children still receive their gifts in a meaningful way.
Despite these challenges, the gifts will be delivered to the children’s homes in frontline regions through World Central Kitchen’s aid delivery points, bringing moments of joy and hope in these difficult times.
About
Jenny Holzer is an artist whose work explores themes of power, conflict, and humanity through the medium of text. Her installations, projections, and public interventions have earned international acclaim. @jennyholzerstudio
World Central Kitchen (WCK) is a non-profit organization that gives food to provide relief and build resilience in communities affected by crises. @wckitchen
UKRAINIAN MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART (UMCA) is a network institution that unites contemporary art professionals across the country and enables different audiences to meet the creative imagination of artists, ensuring a productive public dialogue about the common future.
UMCA was established by the “Museum of Contemporary Art” NGO in 2023. MOCA NGO will take care of the network’s development and collection. @umca.museum
