Paintings by a seven-year-old Ukrainian girl, who along with her mother fled to Ireland to escape the Russian invasion, have gone on display at an exhibition in Co Laois.
Iryna Britanova-Listratenko and her daughter Sasha fled Kharkiv over two weeks ago and are now living with a family near Abbeyleix.
"I'm from Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second largest city. The war started from the suburbs of my city so we were the first ones to hear the bombs," Ms Britanova-Listratenko explained.
"We were staying in a bomb shelter for six days and after that we decided we had to flee because the city was being bombed from the air.
"It was dangerous to move by car but we succeeded in getting out and to west Ukraine where it was not so dangerous."
In west Ukraine the family sought help from the Red Cross.
"I met a girl from the Red Cross and she introduced me to an Irishman who had driven from Ireland to Ukraine with humanitarian aid and he offered to bring us to Ireland."
They decided to go, leaving behind family and friends.
"I left my parents, relatives, and my husband all back in the Ukraine. We are very worried because they are not safe and Sasha wants her dad to be here but he’s not able," she added.
During that long journey to Ireland Ms Britanova-Listratenko showed the driver some of Sasha's artworks.
Sasha not only speaks English and plays the piano, but is also an accomplished artist.
"On the way over here I showed the driver the drawings and we decided to arrange the exhibition to help Ukrainian people," said Ms Britanova-Listratenko.
"When she was smaller, we noticed her gift for painting. She had a private teacher and has done some amazing pictures."
Sasha's paintings have gone on display at the Dunamaise Arts Centre in Portlaoise with all proceeds going towards the Red Cross to support its humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.
"Art centres are really important places to bring artists and communities together, to tell their stories and connect," explains Michelle de Forge, Director of the Dunamaise Arts Centre.
"So when we heard about this exhibition we moved as fast as we could to make space for it.
"We were really humbled to meet Sasha and Iryna and to be able to show this work by this really talented young girl and artist and support them in their very generous move to try and raise funds for the Red Cross."
Since their arrival the local community has rallied around Ms Britanova-Listratenko and Sasha.
They are living with a family near Abbeyleix and Sasha has made a new friend in a dog called Rocky.
"We feel a great support in Ireland and Irish people are really great," said Ms Britanova-Listratenko.
"Sasha has now started school and she has made new friends.
"She speaks English and she is comfortable here. I'm proud of her but she’s too little to realise what’s going on.
"She just does it because she likes it. We just want to help the Ukrainian people who are suffering and dying now".
Sasha's exhibition will be on display until 1 April.
To donate or buy a piece of art by Sasha contact the Dunamaise Arts Centre.
