Rehabilitation

UV-light treatment was a standard procedure for children in Soviet sanatoriums, as it was believed to boost their immunity. However, later studies showed that it was extremely harmful for eyes and skin, so the practice was abandoned. Nowadays, these old-fashioned quartz lamps are still used to disinfect rooms, but it is advised to leave the room during the procedure.

Ultraviolet light is an effective disinfectant, but only on the surface. For me, this is a powerful metaphor: I strongly believe that to be able to move on to a new, bright future, we need to address the traumas of the Soviet legacy, not just on the surface, but by delving deep into its depths of the past.

The painting is inspired by photographic material available on the internet and includes references to photographs such as Mark S. Wexler.