American artist Andrew Rizzardi auctions art works to help war-torn Ukraine

Andrew Rizzardi is an American artist living in Taiwan. When he was in college, he spent one summer in Ukraine, where he taught English and made many friends. After the Russo-Ukrainian War broke out last year, the 34-year-old Arizona native wanted to help, and decided that he would auction 12 of his paintings. The proceeds will be donated in aid of his beloved Ukraine.

Rizzardi carefully puts in his finishing touches on this painting of mostly blue and yellow, the colors that people now associate with Ukraine. Through his paintings, Rizzardi conjures up deep memories and expresses his longing for peace for the war-torn country.

This work is called “Magpie, Lyman,” a title that points to a bird that symbolizes Taiwan and the name of the Ukrainian city where Jonathan Tseng, a Taiwanese who joined the International Legion for the defense of Ukraine, was killed.

Andrew Rizzardi
American artist
Come to this year, the war escalated, and then that’s when I started the other paintings, and I got all these feelings of how I want to help. I read a lot of the news and it would give me these ideas to make these paintings.

As the first anniversary of the Russo-Ukrainian War approaches, the 34-year-old American artist wanted to do something for the nation he visited briefly while in college. Ten years ago he came to Taiwan to teach art, where he also ended up marrying a local. Last year while painting a landscape of Yilan, he decided to use the blue and yellow of Ukraine. He thought of his Ukrainian friends who were living in terror, and decided to hold an auction of 12 of his paintings. He would donate the proceeds to Ukrainians.

Andrew Rizzardi
American artist
This one gave me the idea for the auction. I started this in February when the war really got bigger.

Using his artistic talent to help Ukraine, Rizzardi hopes his small gesture will inspire others.