Gallery criticised for showing Russian exhibition after MH17 attack

It is being billed as a once in a life time exhibition but the National Gallery of Victoria’s showcase of treasures from Russia's Hermitage Museum has upset some members of Australia's Ukrainian community.

By  Phillippa Carisbrooke

The 450 piece exhibition was unveiled a matter of hours after Russia vetoed a United Nations resolution that would have established a tribunal to prosecute those responsible for the downing of flight MH17 over east Ukraine.

Some members of Australia's Ukrainian community are calling for the National Gallery of Victoria to take a stand and send a public message of disapproval to the Russian government.

The Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations has urged the gallery to place a disclaimer at the entrance to the exhibition, titled “Masterpieces from the Hermitage: The Legacy of Catherine the Great”.

Federation chairman Stefan Romaniw told SBS that they had suggested a disclaimer stating that the gallery “does not support Russian aggression in Ukraine”.

"Some may say what has art and politics got to do together,” he said.

“The fact is the message has to be clear. All those who suffered will not now get justice."

Gallery Director Tony Ellwood said he was acutely aware of political developments and the revulsion with which Russia's veto has been met.

Mr Ellwood told SBS that the Gallery was: “deeply sympathetic for all of the issues that have been happening in the region”.

“I do not really think it is constructive for me to comment beyond that other than to say we are very sensitive to that issue,” he said.

The exhibition – which includes four Rembrandts and a diamond encrusted make-up kit - is the result of three years of planning.

The Hermitage's representative, Mikhail Dedinkin, said he hoped the exhibition would bring people together.

“Art is peace and friendship,” he said.

“The Hermitage is a cultural institution and a completely independent institution.”

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2015/07/31/gallery-criticised-showing-russian-exhibition-after-mh17-attack