Right to Be Free was an art exhibition by True Blue & a Little Bit of Yellow, created to mark Ukraine’s Independence Day and presented as part of the Freedom. Courage. Culture. performance at Sydney Town Hall in August 2024.
The exhibition focused on fundamental human rights and freedoms — values currently under severe threat in Ukraine due to the unlawful Russian invasion. The visual artworks deliberately reflected the joyful, life-affirming aspects of freedom, while accompanying posters addressed the specific rights being violated. This contrast invited viewers to reflect on what freedom means, and what is at stake when it is taken away.
Presented in the heart of Sydney, the exhibition formed part of a broader cultural program celebrating Ukrainian identity, resilience, and independence.
Right to Be Free was made possible with the support of the City of Sydney, the Ukrainian Council of NSW (UCNSW), the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations, and the artists of True Blue & a Little Bit of Yellow.
True Blue & a Little Bit of Yellow, in collaboration with CBD Gallery, presented a fundraising exhibition in the heart of Sydney titled A Love Letter to the Ocean. Created by five artists of Ukrainian heritage, the exhibition was dedicated to the water element and to a shared love of the ocean. Working across different styles and mediums — from ancient techniques and classicism to impressionism, divisionism, and fine art photography — the artists invited viewers to dive into blue, touched gently with yellow. We extend our sincere gratitude to Xiaoxiao Zhang for her invaluable support in providing CBD Gallery as the venue for this fundraiser, and for her continued support of Ukraine. The exhibition was held at CBD Gallery, Sydney, from 6–19 October 2023
There is a particular kind of magic in creating art surrounded by so many artworks. Working within the exhibition space was deeply inspiring, and behind us you could glimpse True Blue & a Little Bit of Yellow — AUSTRALIANA unfolding around the workshops. I am immensely proud of everyone who took part in the painting workshops during the Australiana exhibition. Scarlett banksia bloomed in every artwork, each one different, each one full of care and attention. The second workshop focused on native flowers, and the results were so strong that it became hard to tell which work was mine and which belonged to the participants. That level of engagement and confidence is something truly special. People often ask how to cope with stress, how to live with worry, how not to feel overwhelmed by the news from Ukraine. My answer is simple: respond in the way you can, and stay connected. Art, shared time, and human presence matter. Thank you to everyone who came to support, create, and be present. I hope these workshops brought moments of light and positive energy. We choose to live fully, to stay strong, stay together, and find joy in art and friendship — despite everything.
