The Small Coat of Arms of Ukraine
The Trident Reforged in the Metal of War
The Small Coat of Arms of Ukraine by Sergey Melnikoff (MFF) reinterprets the country’s central state symbol — the trident — through the material reality of contemporary war.
Constructed from authentic fragments of artillery shells and mines collected across active combat zones, the work transforms the official emblem into a physical testament to the struggle for sovereignty.
The image is not applied to the surface.
It is assembled from the very substance of destruction.
Materials & Technique
- Fragments of artillery shells, mines, and ammunition.
- Hand-selected and assembled using electric welding.
- Multi-layered construction.
- Original forms preserved without reshaping.
- Created within the Ashes of War technique.
Key Details
- Created in Odesa, Ukraine.
- Developed in collaboration with master welder Viktor Bielchyk.
- Each piece is unique
- Accompanied by a laser-engraved certificate of authenticity on stainless steel, mounted on a fine hardwood base.
Essay
The trident of Ukraine is one of the most enduring symbols of statehood.
In this work, it is reconstructed from fragments of weapons once used in an attempt to destroy the very nation it represents.
The material is not neutral.
It carries memory.
Each fragment bears the trace of violence, yet within the composition these elements are brought into order. What was once a wound becomes a mark of survival.
Unlike its monumental counterpart, the Small Coat of Arms possesses an intimate, almost icon-like presence. It is not only a public symbol, but an object of personal reflection.
The image remains unchanged.
Its substance is transformed.
Presentation of “The Small Coat of Arms of Ukraine” during an international conference.
Kyiv, Ukraine. 28 February 2024.
Sergey Melnikoff, Viktor Yushchenko, Mykhailo Podolyak.
Press:
Featured in international media.
Details available upon request or in the Press section.
Dimensions: 50 x 35 cm (19⅒ x 13⅘ in)
Weight: approx. 6 kg
Provenance:
The Soul of Ukraine Foundation, Inc. (since creation)
Sergey Melnikoff presenting “The Small Coat of Arms of Ukraine” in the workshop.
Constructed from authentic fragments of war — a unique work and a symbol of an indomitable nation.
Odesa, Ukraine. 2026.
Each “Small Coat of Arms of Ukraine” is created as a unique sculptural object.
The work is accompanied by an original certificate of authenticity, laser-engraved on an A4 stainless steel plate and mounted on a fine wooden base — forming an integral part of the piece as a collectible and archival object.