The underwater world, the forest with the Tree of Violence growing in its centre, revived monuments, bouquets of generations—these and other symbols of the post-Soviet space appear in Victoria Lomasko’smonumental works. Lomasko became internationally recognised as a graphic journalist telling stories about socially vulnerable groups and protests. Gradually, images from reality began to transform into poetic symbols and to change scale: from sketchbook pages to multi-meter murals and panels.

The pandemic, participation in the Belarusian revolution, the war in Ukraine, and emigration made this transformation irreversible—Lomasko believes that in times of historical change, artists must speak not about particular issues, as journalists do, but about a global process, as a visionary. Studying reality with a pencil in hand, participating in historical events, and transforming the knowledge gathered into symbols of one's time—this is a process many 20th-century artists used. Through their works and her own, Lomasko will show the logic of the changing artist’s role.

A century ago, the Russian Nationality Room was envisioned and designed by Andrey Avinoff — one of Pittsburgh’s most influential intellectual, cultural, and artistic figures of the early twentieth century. As Director of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History from 1926 to 1945, Avinoff stood at the center of the city’s cultural life, bringing together science and art through his work as both an entomologist and an artist.

As we celebrate the centennial of the Nationality Rooms at Pitt, this historic space continues its mission as a living site of cultural dialogue.

On April 20, we welcome Victoria Lomasko, a prominent Russian artist and graphic journalist living in exile, whose work documents protest movements, marginalized communities, and everyday life across the post-Soviet space.

Through the pop-up exhibition Sketching Protest: The Art of Victoria Lomasko, curated and annotated by students in SLAV 1400, and her public lecture, Lomasko will share how art becomes a powerful form of political expression and resistance.

Bringing Lomasko’s artistic activism into the Russian Nationality Room creates a powerful historical continuity — linking Avinoff’s vision of art as a cultural force with contemporary practices of visual protest and testimony.

This event invites the Pitt community to reflect on the enduring role of art in shaping public discourse across generations.

The underwater world, the forest with the Tree of Violence growing in its centre, revived monuments, bouquets of generations—these and other symbols of the post-Soviet space appear in Victoria Lomasko’s monumental works. Lomasko became internationally recognized as a graphic journalist telling stories about socially vulnerable groups and protests. Gradually, images from reality began to transform into poetic symbols and to change scale: from sketchbook pages to multi-meter murals and panels.

The pandemic, participation in the Belarusian revolution, the war in Ukraine, and emigration made this transformation irreversible—Lomasko believes that in times of historical change, artists must speak not about particular issues, as journalists do, but about a global process, as a visionary. Studying reality with a pencil in hand, participating in historical events, and transforming the knowledge gathered into symbols of one's time—this is a process many 20th-century artists used. Through their works and her own, Lomasko will show the logic of the changing artist’s role.

Join Hindi instructor Vibha Shetiya from the Less-Commonly-Taught-Languages Center to discuss Hindi language books.

Hosted by the Less-Commonly-Taught-Languages Center

Join the Political Science Department as students in Dr. Yuyang Pu's Chinese Politics (PS 1332) course present their research posters on topics related to Chinese politics.

Join Brazil Nuts in the Global Hub for weekly Bate-Papo Conversation Hours to meet other students and to practice Portuguese of all levels!

Bate-Papo Conversation Hours are every Monday during Spring semester, starting January 26 and ending April 20.

Hosted by Brazil Nuts

UPDATE: Bate-Papo's meeting on January 26 has been postponed due to weather.

Join the German Club for weekly meetings on Mondays in the Global Hub to practice German and share about German culture! 

Hosted by the German Club