Elmer Gunderson is heartbroken as he watches on TV the Russian invasion of Ukraine and how it is affecting innocent civilians.
Instead of digging in his pocket for cash the renowned local artist, perhaps best known for his incredible tree carvings at Cottonwood Island Park, took a Fibreglass casting from a mold created of a clay sculpture he did of a bold face and after painting it in the colours of the Ukraine flag of blue and yellow, and painting tears on the solemn face, Gunderson presented the artwork to Father Andrii Chornenkyii of St. George’s Ukrainian Church on Friday morning as a part of a fundraising effort.
The poignant piece that took about three weeks to create will be auctioned off during an event that will be held on April 29 still in the planning stages with more details to be announced closer to the date of the event.
“After seeing what was going on in Ukraine and being torn apart by it, it was something I wanted to do,” Gunderson said about donating the piece. “So I had this piece sitting there and I had the colours blue and yellow of the Ukraine that are so dominant right now. Those are colours we will never forget for the rest of our lives, I don’t think. I wanted to incorporate those into the mask and the tears – I think that goes without saying – the country is being hurt, but it’s not broken yet – so the tears symbolize the hurt that they are going through – and at some time I am hoping those tears will dry up on it as they get into the healing stages once this war is over.”
Gunderson has no connection to the people of Ukraine other than what he has seen on television but he still felt compelled to help.
“The cities there remind me so much of Prince George and to imagine our city being destroyed and families being destroyed and our friends being destroyed – it’s so hard to take in – we can turn the TV off, the poor people there – they can’t, they live with it every day and it just tears me apart,” Gunderson explained . “So I wanted to do something to try and help and hopefully it will.”
Father Andrii Chornenkyii of St. George’s Ukrainian Catholic Church said he knows this donation comes directly from Gunderson’s heart.
“To create this masterpiece Elmer put all his emotions into it, those tears, I know, are not only painted on the piece but they have been already inside the artist and so you know that he is sharing more than just his money to show his support, he is showing his heart,” Father Chornenkyii said. “Some people they go and they fight with Ukrainians. But some cannot fight there. They fight here by giving a masterpiece and giving their heart. This is very inspiring and very comforting to know that people are willing to do anything they can do to share their talent. This is the most beautiful part.”
Father Chornenkyii has family in Ukraine that were forced to go to neighbouring countries because it was not safe for them, he said.
“It’s really devastating to see all this cruelty for nothing,” Chornenkyii said.
MLA Shirley Bond attended the event to show her support for the fundraising effort.
“The images that we see in Ukraine are absolutely devastating and it touches people’s hearts,” Bond said. “We’ve been overwhelmed with people saying 'what can I do to help'.”
Gunderson's donation shows how much he was personally moved to want to make a difference, Bond added.
“The piece of art will obviously help to raise funds but it’s really about speaking from your heart and showing how much you really care,” Bond said. “So we are going to continue to be ready to welcome Ukrainian refugees if we are given that opportunity and we’re working very hard to put those pieces in place so that it makes it welcoming and inclusive for people who might want to leave Ukraine.”
Bond said Gunderson’s donation is an example of how the Prince George community supports those in need.
“People have big hearts, they step up and they show how much they care,” Bond said.
Upcoming fundraising events include a Prince George Legion event that features a traditional Ukrainian dinner of perogies, cabbage rolls, sausage, dessert and all the sides on Sunday, April 3. All proceeds will be donated to the Share Hope Committee. Tickets are $50 each. Only 80 spots available. There is also a silent auction. Tickets must be purchased in advance at the Legion or by calling 250-562-1292.
Psyanky fundraiser workshop, which is already sold out, sees guests make their own Easter egg in the traditional style of Ukraine on April 9.
Keep in mind the soon-to-be-announced silent auction fundraiser that will be held on April 29 with more details to come.
Check out the PG4Ukraine Facebook page to keep up to date for ways to help.
