Bury St Edmunds exhibition displays work of renowned Ukrainian sculptor, Valerii Kaluiev, who had to flee his home in Kyiv

A renowned Ukrainian sculptor and artist, who was rescued as bombs fell on his home in Kyiv, is holding an exhibition in Bury St Edmunds.

Valerii Kaluiev, 80, who now lives in Bury, after fleeing the war-torn country, with wife Ludmyla, 77, has unveiled My World – Uncompromised: From Ukraine to UK, through the eyes of an artist, at The Apex venue in Charter Square.

The exhibition is his ‘thank you’ to the Bury community, which he says has made him feel welcome.

Valerii’s work includes some of the most iconic monuments in Ukraine, including being part of the team that created the 100 metre tall Mother Ukraine statue in Kyiv.

The artwork on display at the Apex is a series of sketches and paintings created since being evacuated from Kyiv, inspired by Ukraine’s plight, Great Britain, and Bury, itself.

Valerii has also been inspired by St Edmund and created a preliminary model for a proposed statue of the patron saint which West Suffolk Council has put on display at Moyse’s Hall Museum in Bury St Edmunds.

Through his works, the artist expresses his gratitude to the people of UK for their kindness and support of the Ukrainian people.

The exhibition has been brought to life with backing from six Bury St Edmunds Town Councillors, West Suffolk Council’s Heritage Service, The Apex, The Friends of Moyse’s Hall, Mayor Diane Hind and West Suffolk Council’s cabinet member for leisure cllr Ian Shipp.

The exhibition forms part of West Suffolk Council’s strategic priority for ‘thriving communities’ which includes enabling residents to experience a diverse range of cultural activities.”