Saatchi Gallery cancels Russian-organised show of Ukrainian art

London's Saatchi Gallery has pulled the plug on an exhibition of Ukrainian art organised by Russians after a social media outcry.

The Ukrainian Way was scheduled to showcase 100 Ukrainian artists, with an accompanying auction of physical works and NFTs.

It was organised by Russian banker and art collector Igor Tsukanov, alongside cultural impresario and fellow Russian Marat Guelman as a consultant.

Speaking on social media, Ukrainian curators and artists said that it was happening without their consent, condemning it as an example of Russian cultural colonialism.

“The organisers of the exhibition do not pay any attention to the opinion of [Ukrainian artists]. Possession of the object does not necessarily give the right to publish and exhibit,” art critic Olha Sahaidak wrote on Facebook.

A number of Ukrainian artists whose work was set to feature commented on Sahaidak’s post, objecting to their inclusion.

A spokesperson for the Saatchi Gallery told The Art Newspaper the gallery was not the organiser or curator of the exhibition, nor was it involved in any direct communication with the artists or collectors.

“Once it became apparent that support from a number of these key parties had been withdrawn, along with the reports of concerns raised by artists in recent days, Saatchi Gallery immediately took the decision to cancel the 10-day exhibition and withdraw its support from the project.”