DepartmentEurope

Козак Дронар (Cossack Drone Operator)

NamePainting on wood

Artist Roman Selivachov (Ukrainian, born 1976)

CultureUkrainian

Date2024

Place madeUkraine, Europe

MediumWooden base from ammunition box, egg tempera, gold leaf

Dimensions18 1/2 × 11 × 1 1/2 in. (46.9901 × 27.9401 × 3.81 cm)

Credit LineMuseum of International Folk Art, Gift of Roman Selivachov, IFAF Collection, FA.2025.13.1

Object numberFA.2025.13.1

Collections

New Acquisitions: The Gift of Folk Art

DescriptionCossack Drone Operator forms a pair, paralleling Lady of the Drones. Selivachov's composition invokes the Old Testament prophet Elijah, known for his fiery ascent to heaven. “Conversely, this Cossack brings fire down from the sky, finding his kindred spirit in Archangel Michael who fought with Satan and defeated him,” says the artist. The inscription was taken from a Ukrainian folk song, The Red Horizon. Selivachov altered the last line which originally read: “I walk out into the dark grove to chatter with the flowers.” The sunset glows red and blue on the horizon, Somewhere a light flickers, and a voice begins to sing, As sleep descends upon the earth on the wings of night, I walk out into the dark grove to fight the enemy.

Selivachov, who is a professional icon painter and artist, began painting ammunition boxes in 2014 at the start of Russia’s military campaign. Friends and volunteers continue to bring back boxes from the front and, in turn, Selivachov provides them with funds to be used for urgent military needs. “It is a sort of soldier-artist symbiosis,” he says.