Ukraine war chronicled in 50-metre-long painting

A 50-metre-long (164ft) painting depicting a city's response to the war in Ukraine is going on display for a month before being taken to the Eastern European country.

Gloucester artist Russell Haines has been painting Lines of Resistance, which chronicles the stories of Ukrainian families who found a new home in the city and residents who volunteered to deliver aid.

The painting is not finished, as Haines said "the story belongs to more than one artist". During the exhibition, which launches on Thursday, he will invite visitors to add their own words for the people of Ukraine.

Ukrainian people will have the opportunity to send messages to Gloucester residents when the painting arrives there.

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Haines has been working on the painting in a unit at The Shirt Factory in Derby Road.

The artwork also tells the story of "aid workers, artists, soldiers and ordinary people I have met through my journeys across Ukraine", he said.

Visitors will be able to see the painting and add to it for a month from Thursday.

Children, families, community groups, Ukrainian refugees and Gloucester residents are all being invited to add to the painting.

"People can write their own messages of friendship, hope, resistance, peace and solidarity directly onto the painting," Haines said.

Haines added: "When Lines of Resistance goes to Ukraine, the messages written in Gloucester will travel with it — carrying the voices of our city across borders and reminding people thousands of miles away that they have not been forgotten."

Eventually the painting will return to Gloucester, covered in messages from Ukraine.

Speaking about his inspiration for the artwork, Haines said: "Gloucester came together and sent truckloads of aid [to Ukraine] and did some amazing things and I just wanted to celebrate what Gloucester did."

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