The three Snake Island paintings are not a triptych, as they are named individually and are of different sizes. But they are named for the same event and they were painted at the same time. They are inspired by the events at Snake Island in the Black Sea, when the Russian battleship Mosov ordered the skeleton crew of 13 Ukrainian sailors manning the island base to surrender. The exchange was as follows:

Mosov: “We are a Russian Battleship. We suggest that you disarm and surrender to avoid bloodshed and unnecessary casualties. Otherwise, you will be bombed.”

Mosov: ( Repeats Message,).

Snake Island Sailor: “Russian Battleship, go fuck yourself.”

Mosov: ( Opens fire,)

This exchange would essentially become the shot heard around the world for Ukraine’s valiant stance against the invasion by a nuclear power in Russia. It was a harbinger for the resolve of the Ukrainian people to fight for their sovereignty and their democracy against any enemy, even one whose forces so greatly dwarf their opposition. The valor of Ukraine in the beginning of and their ongoing conflict with Russia was the inspiration for these paintings.