MQ: New installation “WOMEN AGAINST WAR” on the MQ forecourt

The installation “WOMEN AGAINST WAR” offers insights into the life stories of 16 women in Russia who face repression and state violence because of their political beliefs and activism. Each of these women was portrayed by a Russian artist, most of whom must remain anonymous to ensure their safety. Among them is Daria Apakhonchich, who portrayed the journalist Oksana Baulina, who was killed in a missile attack in Kyiv. Also involved in the project is the multidisciplinary artist Alisa Gorshenina. Her primary forms of expression include textile art, drawing, painting, photography, and video. Since 2022, she has repeatedly faced threats and political repression due to her anti-war stance. Alexandra Skochilenko, an activist, musician, and writer from Saint Petersburg, is participating in the installation for the first time as an artist following her release as part of the 2024 prisoner exchange; she is exhibiting a portrait of Nadin Geisler, who was sentenced in Russia to one of the longest prison terms for political prisoners. The texts reflect solely the opinions of the artists and curators involved in the project.

Since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, thousands of women in Russia have taken action to protest the war and the regime through street demonstrations and organized subversive campaigns, such as self-published partisan newspapers. In response, they have faced repression, arrests, and even long prison sentences. According to the Feminist Anti-War Resistance movement and other human rights organizations, the number of women imprisoned for political reasons and subjected to political repression in Russia has risen significantly since the outbreak of the war. In 2024, the proportion of women among political prisoners in Russia reached 27%, the highest level in 14 years. Since February 2022, more than 20,000 people have been imprisoned for criticizing the regime or making anti-war statements.

FAR was founded on February 25, 2022, by a group of feminist activists from Russia in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The social movement includes activists from ethnic minorities and indigenous peoples, LGBTI individuals, people with disabilities, people with experiences of migration and displacement, and people who have experienced various forms of violence and discrimination. FAR advocates for tolerance and the pluralization of lifestyles.

This exhibition was made possible with the support of the Federal Ministry of Housing, Art, Culture, Media, and Sports and in cooperation with the MuseumsQuartier Wien.

WOMEN AGAINST
WARMQ Forecourt
Opening: Dec. 9, 5:00 p.m. by Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler, MQ Director Bettina Leidl, curator Lölja Nordic, and artist Daria
Apakhonchich Curated by Feminist Anti-War Resistance (FAR)

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