Ukraine war chronicled in 50-metre-long painting

Maisie Lillywhite Gloucestershire BBC Russell Haines has recalled some of the Ukrainians he has met on his travels to the country through painting. A 50-metre-long (164ft) painting titled *Lines of Resistance* depicts a city's response to the war in Ukraine, chronicling the stories of Ukrainian families who found a new home in Gloucester and residents who volunteered to deliver aid. The painting is not yet finished, as Haines stated, "the story belongs to more than one artist." During the exhibition, launching on Thursday, he will invite visitors to add their own words for the people of Ukraine. Ukrainian people will send messages to Gloucester residents when the painting arrives there. The artwork also tells the story of aid workers, artists, soldiers, and ordinary people Haines encountered during his journeys across Ukraine. Visitors will be able to see the painting and add to it for a month from Thursday. Children, families, community groups, Ukrainian refugees, and Gloucester residents are all invited to contribute messages of friendship, hope, resistance, peace, and solidarity directly onto the painting. Haines explained, "When *Lines of Resistance* goes to Ukraine, the messages written in Gloucester will travel with it, carrying the voices of our city across borders and reminding people thousands of miles away that they have not been forgotten." He also shared his inspiration: Gloucester came together to send truckloads of aid to Ukraine and performed remarkable efforts, which he wanted to celebrate through the artwork.