I was greatly saddened to find out that prominent Ukrainian artist Valery Grygorenko was killed in a Russian attack near his home in Irpin a fortnight ago. while not a household name most gamers and modellers will know him for the box art on most of the Dora Wings, Wingsy Kits, Clear Prop and Roden model kits. See his Facebook page.
His passing is a massive loss to the gaming community, the people at Roden Models who he made so many wonderful artworks for, the arts community in general and most of all his family, who we can only send all of our love too.
The employees of Dora Wings, Wingsy Kits, Clear Prop and Roden have reported saying that they are OK but, “I cannot tell you what I am doing, since we cannot know who else might read this.” Looking at the news, and the fact they’re all guys in their 30s, I sadly don’t think it takes a lot of imagination to answer that question ourselves.
I cannot sum up my thoughts better than the eulogy on the Roden website:
thanks for sharing this Guru; a reminder of all the real people just behind the news headlines
I agree totally!
Spot on Dave. This war is outrageous. Deaths like this put a face, a name, to the tragedy. When thousands die it is a statistic, when one person dies it is a tragedy. I mourn for all those killed in this cruel and unjust invasion.
Your sentiments are spot on grumps.
What a sad loss, as is every life, taken too soon.
Agreed!
Well that really does personalize this needless war. Valeriy was only two years older than I am! I can’t say I have a huge knowledge base when it comes to all the folks involved in model making in the former “iron curtain” countries, I certainly know these folks pour a lot of creativity into the products they produce.
It won’t be the last sad news before this travesty is over, but it is the first face/name I can put a connection to.
Sad to say but I agree it will not be the last!
Sad news- the Roden artwork in particular captured the spirit of the best Airfix and Matchbox covers of the past.
Cheers,
Pete.
Agreed Pete.
Thanks for that information mate, so sad, I just made two Roden models for the last show , I have always appreciated the artwork on the boxes and have to admit it persuaded me to purchase the model. My dad was captured at the fall of Singapore and spent the rest of the war as a guest of the Japanese helping them build a railway, so you can imagine my feeling about what going on in Ukraine, so bloody pointless and futile. Keep well matey and thanks again for drawing my attention to this great but humble artist.
Great comment Pat!
Thanks mate.
Thank you for posting this, GP. It just underlines the pointlessness of the invasion.
In sadness, Chris.
Sort of brings it closer to home doesn’t it.