The Holy Mandylion
A Sacred Image Forged from the Remnants of War
The Holy Mandylion by Sergey Melnikoff (MFF) reinterprets one of the most revered images of Christian tradition through the material language of contemporary history.
Created from fragments of artillery shells collected on Ukrainian battlefields, the work transforms the physical remains of destruction into a sacred surface. The image emerges not through illusion, but through matter itself — each fragment preserving its original form, bearing silent witness to the violence from which it came.
The veil, traditionally understood as a miraculous imprint, is here reimagined as a structure assembled from hundreds of metal elements, welded into a unified and continuous field. Its presence is both fragile and unyielding — suspended between icon and artifact.
Materials & Technique
- Fragments of 30 mm automatic cannon shells, artillery and mortar fragments, assembled using electric welding.
- Surface treated through electroplating, including 999.9 fine gold.
Key Details
- All fragments sourced from Ukrainian battlefields (2022–2024).
- No reshaping of elements — original forms preserved.
- Combination of sculptural assembly and iconographic tradition.
- Created using the Ashes of War technique.
Essay
The Holy Mandylion reinterprets a sacred image through the material reality of contemporary war.
Constructed from unaltered fragments of artillery and munitions, the work does not depict violence — it contains it. The image of Christ emerges from matter that has directly participated in destruction, preserving both its physical form and its historical truth.
In this way, the work exists simultaneously as icon, artifact, and witness.
Viktor Bielchyk at work. Odesa.
Borodyanka — memorial prayer at the site of destruction.
View Full Photographic Record
Weight: approx. 35 kg
Provenance:
The Soul of Ukraine Foundation, Inc. (since creation)
Before electroplating — raw material state.
UKRINFORM report. Kyiv.
Press:
Featured in international media.
Details available upon request or in the Press section.