Is there anything more heartbreaking than the sight of an empty bed belonging to a child who may never return?
This question arises from the unveiling of a 100ft mural in the Little Ukraine neighborhood of Lower Manhattan, New York, which highlights the abduction of 19,546 Ukrainian children by Russia. The mural, titled Empty Beds, features life-size photos of the beds of some of the 994 children who have been safely returned from Russia or Russian-occupied areas since the start of the war in 2022. Unfortunately, the majority of the kidnapped children remain missing.
The artist behind the project, Phil Buehler, captured the images of these empty beds during a trip to Ukraine last month. He was inspired by the stories of the stolen Ukrainian children and the emotional impact of seeing a child’s room left untouched, similar to a friend’s tragic experience in Ohio.
During his visit to Ukraine, Buehler was unable to photograph the beds of the missing children due to an ongoing war crimes investigation. However, he did meet with eight children who managed to escape from Russian-occupied areas and reunite with their families. These children now reside in temporary housing facilities, such as the Hope and Healing Center of Save Ukraine and Hansen Village.
The images of the children’s beds, taken at their eye level, symbolize the bond between parents and children that has been tragically disrupted by conflict. Buehler aimed to convey the shared humanity and profound loss experienced by these families through his artwork.
The mural also sheds light on the disturbing practice of “Russification” imposed on abducted Ukrainian children by Russian authorities. These children are stripped of their Ukrainian identity, given new names and birthdates, and subjected to military training to serve Russian interests.
Despite the challenging circumstances, organizations like Bird of Light Ukraine are working tirelessly to support these children and help them reintegrate into Ukrainian society. The artwork serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing crisis in Ukraine and the importance of international efforts to address the situation.
The Empty Beds mural will be on display until 30 November, offering a powerful and immersive experience for visitors to reflect on the plight of the missing Ukrainian children. Through this artwork, Phil Buehler aims to raise awareness and provoke empathy for the innocent victims of war.