In 1964, Jürgen Wittdorf created the series "Youth and Sport" as a commissioned work for the German University of Physical Culture (DHfK) in Leipzig. At just 32 years old, he achieved a masterpiece in the form of large-format woodcuts and linocuts – impressive both artistically and technically. The series also reveals a political dimension: competitive sports were used for propaganda purposes in East Germany. Wittdorf, himself homosexual, could not express this openly – his homoerotic depictions went unnoticed by the cultural officials.

Kateryna Nikolenko — artist from Kyiv and graduate of the Academy of Decorative and Applied Arts (graduated 2013).

Before the war in Ukraine, she actively participated in national painting competitions and exhibitions. Her works arise from spontaneous inspirations and inner images that suddenly appear like epiphanies and find their way onto the canvas.

Kateryna's paintings are in the styles of surrealism, symbolism, and psychedelia. Some of her works were specially selected for the "Rituale" festival and reflect the connection between emotions, symbols, and hidden meanings.