The Art of MFF | News Flash
This section across the various MFF web platforms is powered by artificial intelligence. It continuously collects, curates, and updates news related to MFF and its projects as soon as it appears online. Launched in early July 2025, this feature represents a new resource for staying informed in real time. The news feed begins from that date, ensuring that all updates presented here reflect the most current developments.
The Fate of a Soldier
September 15, 2025
Forged from fragments of war, the installation “The Fate of a Soldier” carries within it the silence of battlefields and the echo of resilience. Rusted gears, bullet casings, and steel torn from machines of destruction are reborn here as a symbol of endurance and memory. Each scar of metal speaks of struggle, each groove remembers the weight of history.
Now in its final stage of preparation, the sculpture undergoes a ritual transformation: stripped by sandblasting, it waits for the purity of nickel plating, as if the wounds of war are being cleansed before entering a new life. Soon it will stand in the heart of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine — not as a monument of sorrow, but as a testimony of strength, sacrifice, and the unbroken destiny of those who guard freedom.
MFF to Present Three Monumental Works from the “Ashes of War” Series at the Ukrainian National Project Art of Fire
September 8, 2025
The International Charitable Foundation Soul of Ukraine has officially announced the participation of renowned American artist of Ukrainian descent Sergey Melnikoff (MFF) in the IV All-Ukrainian Cultural and Artistic Project “Art of Fire” (Ceramics, Metal, Glass), which will be held from October 31 to November 16, 2025, at the Central House of Artists of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine in Kyiv.
MFF will showcase three of his most powerful anti-war works from the acclaimed series “Ashes of War”:
The Cross of Peace with its golden Crucifix,
The Holy Mandylion,
The Small Coat of Arms of Ukraine.
Forged from authentic fragments of mines, shells, and military steel, these monumental sculptures embody the transformation of instruments of destruction into universal symbols of peace, resilience, and spiritual triumph.
The Art of Fire project is organized under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine and the National Union of Artists of Ukraine, bringing together leading masters of ceramics, metal, and glass from across the country.
For MFF, whose works have become iconic testimonies of wartime Ukraine, this exhibition offers a meaningful opportunity to present his art as part of a national cultural dialogue — turning the ashes of war into a vision of hope and unity.
Special Website Launched for the Installation The Fate of a Soldier, a Gift to the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine
September 7, 2025
A dedicated website has been launched to present the new monumental installation by Sergey Melnikoff (MFF) — The Fate of a Soldier, which will be donated as a special gift to the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.
Accessible at fatesoldier.mff.name, the site introduces the artistic concept, symbolism, and technical details of the installation. Crafted from authentic wartime materials, The Fate of a Soldier embodies the silent memory of sacrifice and the transformation of instruments of war into a lasting tribute of gratitude.
Through striking visuals and carefully curated narratives, the website allows visitors to explore how this unique artwork honors the courage, vigilance, and devotion of Ukraine’s border guards.
This digital launch marks an important step in unveiling the installation to a wider audience, emphasizing MFF’s mission to turn the pain of war into enduring symbols of hope, resilience, and national unity.
Work on “The Silent Uprising of an Angel” Advances to Crucial Stage
September 2, 2025
The creation of the monumental sculpture The Silent Uprising of an Angel by American artist MFF continues with notable progress. Together with master welder Viktor Bielchyk, the artist has completed the upper part of the angel’s body and has now moved on to the most painstaking stage—the crafting of the delicate fingers. The next step will be the most important and symbolic element of the entire work: the angel’s head, with its tense and expressive facial features.
“The Fate of a Soldier” Installation Nears Unveiling: MFF Prepares to Present Poignant War-Time Sculpture to Border Service
September 1, 2025
Preparations are in the final stages for the installation The Fate of a Soldier, one of MFF’s earliest sculptural works, created in 2023. This compelling piece is set to be officially presented to the State Border Service of Ukraine during an imminent ceremony—an event marking the formal donation of the installation by the artist. Weighing nearly 100 kg, the installation will soon be entirely coated via electroplating with a layer of nickel, enhancing both its material presence and symbolic resonance.
In the accompanying photograph, master welder Viktor Bielchyk can be seen preparing a stand made from an artillery shell, intended to support a commemorative plaque—presumably to accompany the installation at its display site.
Odesa Media Outlet Features Sculptor Transforming War Debris into Art
August 29, 2025
Odesa-based media outlet More Liudei (“Sea of People”) has published a feature on the American artist Sergey Melnikoff, known as MFF, highlighting his unique sculptures created from fragments of weapons collected on Ukrainian battlefields.
In the article, titled “The Silent Uprising of an Angel: Artist Creates Sculptures from Shell Fragments in Odesa”, the publication’s cameraman visited the artist’s studio to document the painstaking process behind his latest monumental work. The report describes how Melnikoff sorts through thousands of twisted shards of metal, once instruments of destruction, to form powerful sculptures that embody both tragedy and resilience.
The feature emphasizes the symbolic weight of Melnikoff’s practice: transforming remnants of war into works of peace and remembrance. One of his ongoing projects, The Silent Uprising of an Angel, envisions a colossal winged figure assembled from battlefield debris, a striking counterpoint to the violence that produced its raw materials.
Through its coverage, More Liudei underscores the growing cultural significance of Melnikoff’s art in wartime Ukraine—an artistic response that merges memory, grief, and hope for a future beyond conflict.
The Road That MFF Relies on to Transport Shrapnel Has Become a Battlefield
August 27, 2025
Traffic along the M-14 Kherson–Mykolaiv highway in Ukraine is now severely restricted. Since August 25, 2025, Russian drones have been prowling this stretch with deadly precision, striking civilian vehicles and leaving casualties in their wake.
This is the very road that Sergey Melnikoff traverses to bring fragments of military ammunition from the Kherson region to his workshop, where they are transformed into the haunting, powerful pieces of his “Ashes of War” series. Just two months ago, Melnikoff and his daughter Anastassia experienced a terrifying escape: navigating this same highway under the watch of a Russian drone, they successfully transported 500 kilograms of shrapnel to safety.
Every journey along this route is a race against danger—a testament to courage, resilience, and the unyielding pursuit of art in the shadow of war.
Odesa Media Outlet “More Liudei” (Sea of People) Presents Video About the MFF Workshop
August 22, 2025
The Odesa-based publication More Liudei (Sea of People) has released a new promotional video spotlighting the MFF workshop. In the film, the artist speaks about his creative process and the philosophy behind his work, while also touching upon the dramatic experiences that shaped his artistic path.
The video sheds light on his personal journey through the late Soviet era, including the years of repression and imprisonment in concentration camps, which left a profound imprint on his worldview and art. These reflections reveal how hardship and resilience were transformed into a powerful artistic voice that now resonates on the international stage.
Through vivid studio footage and heartfelt testimony, the short film provides a rare glimpse into the inner world of the artist and the mission of the MFF workshop.
Pitch Deck of The Silent Uprising of an Angel Significantly Updated
August 17, 2025
Significant changes have been made to the presentation brochure for the project to create the sculpture The Silent Uprising of an Angel. The updated pitch deck now features 31 pages of richly illustrated content and in-depth information that may be of particular interest to investors, art collectors, and managers of prominent galleries.
The regularly updated brochure details the current stage of work on this unique sculpture, as well as the plans for its pre-auction debut.
The updated brochure offers an in-depth vision of the work in creation, capturing both its artistic essence and its profound historical significance in the evolution of contemporary art.
In addition to visual materials and technical specifications, the new edition highlights the artistic vision behind the work, the symbolism of its design, and its potential cultural impact. This section provides a compelling narrative for audiences seeking both an investment opportunity and a chance to support a landmark creation in contemporary art.
The potential for publishing an illustrated article about the work in Time magazine is also under consideration.
The image represents ChatGPT’s vision of the completed sculpture “The Silent Uprising of an Angel.”
The Holy Mandylion Is Now Being Offered At A Charity Auction
August 14, 2025
The Holy Mandylion transforms the violent residue of war into an object of profound spiritual resonance. Created by Sergey Melnikoff, the work embodies a process of material and symbolic transfiguration, whereby the detritus of armed conflict is reconstituted into a sacred image central to Eastern Christian devotion.
The sculpture is assembled from authentic fragments of artillery shells and mortar casings, electro-welded into a cohesive relief without reshaping the individual elements. This preservation of their original form affirms their provenance from active war zones, allowing the work to retain the aura of lived history and collective trauma.
At its core lies the Mandylion—the acheiropoieton or “image not made by human hands”—a veil that, according to Christian tradition, miraculously bore the imprint of Christ’s face. In Melnikoff’s interpretation, the veil is rendered from 30mm automatic cannon casings, their surfaces meticulously gilded with 999.9 fine gold. This gilding operates on both a theological and aesthetic plane: the transmutation of weapons into gold recalls the alchemical ideal of turning base matter into the purest form, while spiritually it enacts the reconciliation of instruments of death with the iconography of eternal life, peace, and divine compassion.
In its synthesis of unaltered war relics, sacred tradition, and precious metal, The Holy Mandylion stands within a lineage of art that fuses political witness with devotional imagery—inviting viewers to confront the coexistence of human violence and transcendence, destruction and redemption.
Photo by MFF
Sculptures from Ammunition Fragments: Art on the Edge of Memory and Protest
August 10, 2025
Sergey Melnikoff, known as MFF, creates sculptures from authentic fragments of mines, shells, and bullets collected on the battlefields of the ongoing war in Ukraine. Each of his works is not merely an artistic object but also a tangible testimony to tragedy, encoded in metal that, until recently, carried death.
The uniqueness of these works lies in the fact that the artist uses materials impossible to perceive neutrally. There is no distance between art and reality here: the viewer does not see abstract metal but recognizes in it the twisted fragments of weapons, visually tracing the scars of explosions, burns, and deformations.
In world art, there have been examples of using wartime artifacts — from transforming weapon debris into decorative objects to creating memorial installations. However, Melnikoff’s works stand out for their exceptional sculptural craftsmanship and monumentality. They go beyond a conceptual statement, transforming fragments into anatomically precise forms — crucifixes, icons, figures of angels, and mythical birds.
These sculptures cannot be perceived merely as art objects. They function simultaneously as works of art, historical artifacts, and emotional triggers. There are virtually no direct analogues to this synergy in contemporary world sculpture: Melnikoff does not simply reinterpret found art — he forges a new genre, one that may be defined as Sacred Military Realism.
Global Context and Distinctions
British artist Jeremy Deller created installations from wreckage brought from Iraq, yet his works took the form of conceptual displays without detailed sculptural execution.
Chinese artist Ai Weiwei has incorporated weapons into his installations as political statements, but avoided sacred or hyper-realistic imagery.
German artist Gunter Demnig, with his “Stolpersteine” project, worked with the memory of war victims through urban minimalism rather than monumental figurative sculpture.
Against this backdrop, Sergey Melnikoff’s works stand out in that they combine the physical presence of war, a high level of sculptural mastery, and symbolism capable of resonating on the level of cultural memory for entire generations.
Photo by Mariia Universaliuk and MFF
The Silent Uprising of an Angel In Progress
August 8, 2025
Having collected more than 2 tons of ammunition fragments from the farm fields of the Kherson region of Ukraine, Sergey Melnikoff ensured their optimal selection for creating the sculpture of The Silent Uprising of an Angel. After only two days of work, he and welder Viktor Bielchyk created a large fragment of the hand of the future masterpiece.
In the photo, the partially assembled sculpture lies on a workbench inside the artist’s studio. The head and torso, sculpted from a pale casting material and marked with red guide lines, rest beside the arm already clad in rusted, jagged fragments of war munitions. A printout of the Angel’s design, showing the envisioned final pose with raised hand and kneeling posture, is propped up nearby for reference. Tools, welding equipment, and scattered pieces of metal surround the workspace, underscoring the raw, labor-intensive process of transforming battlefield debris into a profound work of art.
Sculpting Hope While Sirens Wail
August 5, 2025
On this very day, amid the relentless terror of war, American artist Sergey Melnikoff and master welder Victor Bielchyk began the creation of a monumental sculpture titled The Silent Uprising of an Angel in their studio in Odesa.
Working under the constant threat of Russian missile strikes and nightly attacks by Iranian-made Shaheed drones—each wave leaving behind shattered homes and lost lives—the two artists persist in their mission. In defiance of destruction, they are forging one of the most powerful and spiritually charged sculptures of our time.
Melnikoff, known for transforming the debris of war into symbols of resilience, and Bielchyk, a welding virtuoso whose skill borders on the poetic, have joined forces to craft a piece that transcends art. The Silent Uprising of an Angel is not merely a sculpture—it is an act of resistance, a tribute to the indomitable human spirit rising from the ruins.
The Cross — Voice of the Land
Anastassia Melnikov, President of The Soul of Ukraine Foundation, Inc., has addressed a respectful letter to the Religious Head and Sovereign of the Order of Malta, His Most Eminent Highness Fra John T. Dunlap, Prince and 79th Grand Master. In her message, she graciously offers, on behalf of the Foundation, a unique and powerful artwork titled The Cross — Voice of the Land by the artist MFF.
July 31, 2025
Created in 2025 from fragments of artillery shells collected on the battlefields of Kherson and Mykolaiv, this cross embodies the pain, dignity, and resilience of the Ukrainian people. Crafted in the Catholic tradition and coated in nickel, it transforms the metal of war into a symbol of hope and spiritual purification. Through it, the “voice of the land” speaks — honoring the fallen and proclaiming a steadfast belief in peace.
A Dame of the Order of Saint Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga, Ms. Melnikov expressed her firm belief that The Cross — Voice of the Land could serve as a meaningful gift from the Sovereign Order of Malta and the American artist of Cossack heritage to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV — a powerful symbol of life and art triumphing over death.
In the photo: Sergey Melnikoff, a.k.a. MFF, presents his sculpture, The Cross — Voice of the Land.
Photo by Victor Bielchyk
A Gift of Honor and Gratitude
July 25, 2025
In a heartfelt gesture of appreciation, the national Ukrainian internet provider HostPro.Ua has received a powerful symbol of recognition for its steadfast support of the humanitarian initiatives led by the Soul of Ukraine, an International Charitable Foundation.
As a tribute of deep gratitude, the company was presented with a poignant sculpture of the Lesser Coat of Arms of Ukraine, created by American artist MFF. This moving artwork was forged from the shattered fragments of artillery shells and mortar rounds gathered from the war-torn fields of Kherson and Mykolaiv — remnants of a nation’s suffering, transformed into a symbol of resilience and national pride.
Each detail of the sculpture carries a story, and its authenticity is affirmed by a numbered certificate engraved on a stainless steel plaque, mounted on an elegant base crafted from noble hardwood — a lasting testament to unity, courage, and shared purpose.
PER L’AMORE DELL’UMANITÀ
In Ucraina è stata creata un’opera unica di arte moderna, un lavoro…
July 23, 2025
The prestigious Italian publication Il Popolo (founded in 1923) has published an extensive, richly illustrated article titled “Per l’amore dell’umanità” (“For the Love of Humanity”), which explores the remarkable work and mission of American photographer and sculptor Sergey Melnikoff, known as MFF.
The article offers an in-depth look at Melnikoff’s unique approach to contemporary art—forged in the crucible of war and driven by an unwavering commitment to peace and humanitarian values. From creating monumental sculptures like the Cross of Peace to transforming the ashes of conflict into symbols of spiritual resilience, MFF’s work is presented as a powerful artistic response to global suffering.
The article also highlights the charitable work of the American foundation The Soul of Ukraine, founded and led by Sergey Melnikoff’s daughter, Anastassia, emphasizing the family’s dedication to supporting Ukrainian children affected by war.
Sergey Melnikoff Plans to Install “Peace Cross” with Golden Crucifix on Ukraine’s Highest Peak
July 20, 2025
Renowned American artist and philanthropist Sergey Melnikoff is considering the ambitious plan of transporting his monumental art installation, Peace Cross, featuring a gilded crucifix, to the summit of Mount Hoverla—the highest geographical point in Ukraine.
In an upcoming photo report, Mariia Universaliuk will document the extraordinary effort required to deliver the one-ton sculpture to the 2,061-meter peak.
According to Melnikoff’s vision, the installation will culminate in a solemn moment at dawn, when Ukraine’s clergy will gather at the mountaintop to offer a Divine Prayer beside the Peace Cross—a symbol of unity and resilience for the nation.
The Silent Uprising of an Angel by MFF
July 13, 2025
On the occasion of his 70th birthday, celebrated today, renowned artist Sergey Melnikoff—known in the art world by his pseudonym MFF—has embarked on an ambitious new project in collaboration with Ukraine’s master metalworker Viktor Bielchyk.
Together, they are creating a monumental two-meter-tall sculpture titled “The Silent Uprising of an Angel”, forged from the shrapnel of artillery shells and mines.
Building on the artistic and technical breakthroughs achieved in MFF’s recent iron icon “The Holy Face of Jesus”, leading art critics agree that “The Silent Uprising of an Angel” has the potential to surpass Jeff Koons’ famous “Rabbit”, which sold for $91 million at auction in 2019. The Angel may even become the most expensive sculpture ever sold, eclipsing Alberto Giacometti’s L’Homme au doigt, which fetched $141 million.
On the Photo: Sergey Melnikoff (MFF) with his daughter Anastassia beside the completed clay model of the future metal sculpture The Silent Uprising of an Angel.
Photo by Stas Kadochnikov
Artist and Daughter Face Mortal Danger While Transporting War Debris for Art Project
July 11, 2025
In a chilling episode underscoring the constant threat of war in southern Ukraine, American artist Sergey Melnikoff and his daughter, Anastassia, narrowly escaped a potentially deadly encounter while transporting 500 kilograms of shrapnel fragments through the Kherson region.
Anastassia had traveled to Ukraine to attend both a press conference at Ukrinform and to celebrate her father’s 70th birthday. But their journey took a perilous turn when, not far from the village of Zelenyi Hai—where the shrapnel had been collected for Melnikoff’s latest icon—an enemy combat drone appeared overhead, hovering ominously in search of a target.
Just days earlier, in a nearby village, a one-year-old child was killed by a Russian drone strike. The New York Post reported on the tragedy, stating: “This was no accident, but a deliberate killing. Kherson is now a zone of human safari.”
Photo caption:
Anastassia Melnikov stands beside the vehicle she used to transport hundreds of kilograms of war debris to her father’s workshop in Odesa.
The New York Post reports on the deliberate killing of a one-year-old Ukrainian child by a Russian drone strike.
Photo by MFF
Sergey Melnikoff Awarded State Border Guard Service Medal During Icon Unveiling at Ukrinform
July 10, 2025
During a press conference at Ukraine’s national news agency Ukrinform, Colonel Dmytro Tukalo presented American artist Sergey Melnikoff with the Medal for Cooperation from the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.
The honor was awarded in recognition of Melnikoff’s ongoing support and artistic contributions that highlight Ukraine’s struggle and resilience amid the ongoing war. The ceremony took place just two days before Melnikoff’s 70th birthday.
In a letter of gratitude addressed to the Head of the State Border Guard Service, General Serhii Deineko, Melnikoff wrote in Ukrainian:
“I deeply value this distinction from the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, especially during the days of war.
The award was presented just two days before my 70th birthday — and for that reason, it has become more than an honor; it is a true gift of fate, which I will cherish with heartfelt gratitude and reverence.
We will endure!
We will destroy all the evil that dares to set foot on our sacred land.
Glory to Ukraine!
Glory to its Heroes!”
Photo by Pavlo Bagmut
Ukrinform
Icon Forged from War: Sergey Melnikoff Unveils ‘The Holy Face’ Made of Shrapnel at Ukrinform
July 10, 2025
At a major press conference held at Ukraine’s national news agency Ukrinform, renowned photographer and artist Sergey Melnikoff unveiled a powerful new icon titled The Holy Face, forged from the remnants of war.
Created in collaboration with Odessa-based metal worker Viktor Bielchyk, the iron icon was crafted using thousands of shrapnel fragments collected from the Kherson and Mykolaiv regions—areas that saw some of the fiercest fighting against the Russian invasion.
The work is based on the biblical legend of the Veil of Veronica, which tells of Christ wiping his face with a cloth on the way to Golgotha, leaving behind a miraculous image of His countenance.
Melnikoff meticulously arranged six distinct layers of metallic fragments to form the face of Christ, which he deliberately left untouched, sealing it only with protective lacquer to preserve the raw character of the metal. In contrast, the “veil” surrounding the face was covered in a layer of pure gold, 999.9 fine, highlighting the sacred moment and elevating the piece from a relic of destruction to a symbol of spiritual endurance.
Photo by Anastassia Melnikov
The Soul of Ukraine Foundation, Inc.
Icon from the Ruins: Melnikoff’s Photo Session in Borodianka
July 9, 2025
Sergey Melnikoff conducted an extensive photo and video shoot in the town of Borodianka, Kyiv Region. The centerpiece of the session was the iron icon The Holy Mandylion, created by the artist from fragments of artillery shells and mines, and gilded with 999.9 fine gold.
The icon was first blessed in a small local church that had been rebuilt after the Russian invasion of 2022, which left the settlement in ruins. Following the consecration, military chaplains of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine held a memorial prayer on the site of a residential building destroyed by a Russian bomb. Beneath its rubble lie the remains of numerous residents. This high-rise, now a haunting ruin, has become a symbol not only of Borodianka but of the entire Russian invasion.
The Soul of Ukraine Foundation, Inc.