Artist Charlie Mackesy launches illustrated t-shirt in support of Ukraine
Credit: Charlie Mackesy
Esteemed artist, illustrator and author Charlie Mackesy has become the latest figurehead to publicly show his support for the people of Ukraine by creating a t-shirt to raise funds for their plight
The artist, whose award-winning work has featured in books, galleries and public spaces around the world, revealed the design via Twitter on Wednesday 2 March. By donating the profits of each t-shirt sale, the Briton hopes to raise money to send essential aid and services to people in or fleeing Ukraine.
“I made a t shirt with all profits going to Choose Love – providing immediate aid and services to those still in and fleeing Ukraine. Medical care, food, shelter, clothes, etc. Shirts are organic cotton and ethically made. We ship internationally,” said the author of celebrated book The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse.
The powerful t-shirt, titled Love to Ukraine, shows a child standing alone, a backpack by his feet, inside a heart bearing the colours of the Ukraine flag – the yellow representing the desert and the blue the sky with clouds, or perhaps planes, passing by overhead.
The screen-printed cotton t-shirts are on sale through Mackesy’s website for £20, £12.50 of which will be donated to Choose Love, UK-based non-profit which provides humanitarian aid to, and advocacy for, refugees around the world. The organisation is currently seeking urgent funding to support Ukrainian people in light of the Russian invasion.
As it launched the appeal, Choose Love tweeted: “With your donations we’ll be supporting projects (that meet our criteria) who are providing vital aid and services to those still in and fleeing the country, including: emergency medical care, food, shelter, clothes, legal support, support for the LGBTQIA+ community and mental health support.
It’s easy to feel helpless in moments like this, but we ask you to respond with love in the face of such calculated and cruel aggression. According to the UN High Commissioner “More than 50,000 people” fled Ukraine in two days. This is the potential beginning of another major refugee crisis. Putin’s invasion is not just an attack on Ukraine. It is an attack on freedom, truth, democracy and humanity. Let's unite and choose love.”