Since March 2022, 120 refugees from Ukraine, mainly women and children, have been living at the “Avondvrede” shelter in Bergen op Zoom. Artist Annemarieke van Peppen has a social cafe and her studio in this building. In her interactions with the residents, she saw strong women who, despite the difficult situation, try to stay positive and are willing to roll up their sleeves. Many of them have worked on this project with each other and with the other artists. Initially, they made amulets with what is important to them, so that they could carry a piece of home with them. Perhaps even to begin processing trauma and grief and to strengthen their bond. The women show their vulnerability and strength in this.

Ukraine has many legendary stories, and some women have been portrayed based on mythical figures from that cultural richness, passed down from generation to generation. Each woman is linked to a type that best suits her character. Since they came with almost nothing, all the outfits were assembled and crafted by the artists in the Netherlands.