The Cross — Voice of the Land

The Art of MFF | Sergey Melnikoff presents his sculpture, The Cross — Voice of the Land.

Photo by Victor Bielchyk

Details

THE CROSS — VOICE OF THE LAND
The Cross – Voice of the Land sculpture was crafted from several hundred fragments of shrapnel collected from exploded artillery shells and mines.

Dimensions: 154 х 101 х 6 cm | 60⅗ x 39⁷ᐟ₁₀ x 2⅖ in
Gross Weight: ~25 kg

Provenance

The Author: Sergey Melnikoff (MFF) in collaboration with Ukrainian welder Viktor Bielchyk.
This work of art was created in Odesa, Ukraine, in 2025, during a critical phase of the Russian-Ukrainian war.
Owner and Seller: The Soul of Ukraine Foundation, Inc. — a U.S.-based charitable public corporation registered under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
A 501(c)(3) tax-deductibility certificate is issued to the purchaser, allowing the full amount expended to be written off for U.S. federal tax purposes.

The Cross — Voice of the Land

Forged in 2025 from the jagged remnants of artillery shells retrieved from the battle-scarred fields of Kherson and Mykolaiv, The Cross — Voice of the Land stands as a powerful testament to Ukraine’s pain, dignity, and unbreakable spirit. Measuring 154 by 101 centimeters and weighing approximately 25 kilograms, this imposing yet graceful sculpture reimagines the instruments of war as a vessel for peace.

Crafted in the Catholic tradition and sheathed in nickel, the cross transforms violence into sacred reflection. It speaks not only as a religious symbol, but as a national relic — one that carries the weight of memory, sacrifice, and the collective yearning for healing. The cold, once-destructive metal now gleams with the promise of spiritual renewal.

The Art of MFF | Viktor Bielchyk examines the completed sculpture of the Cross before it is sent to Metal Chemie company for electroplating with a layer of nickel.
May 5, 2025. Odesa, Ukraine.

Photo by MFF

In its silent presence, the land itself finds a voice — mourning the fallen, honoring their courage, and echoing the hope of a future free from war. The Cross — Voice of the Land is more than art. It is a prayer cast in steel, a monument to resilience, and a call to never forget.

The Art of MFF | The Cross — Voice of the Land sculpture. Estimate: USD 70,000 — 100,000

The Cross — Voice of the Land

Estimate
USD 70,000 — 100,000

The Cross — Voice of the Land
Created in 2025 from fragments of artillery shells collected on the battlefields of Kherson and Mykolaiv, this cross embodies Ukraine’s pain, dignity, and resilience. Crafted in the Catholic tradition and coated in nickel, it transforms the metal of war into a symbol of hope and spiritual cleansing. Through it, “the voice of the land” speaks — remembering the fallen and believing in a peaceful future.

ChatGPT:

Currently, the market value of MFF’s works from the Ashes of War series is estimated by experts to range from $150,000 to $1,000,000, depending on the size, materials used, symbolic impact, and associated narrative.

It is widely expected that following the end of the war and the cementing of these works’ historical importance, their value will rise exponentially, especially among collectors, investors, and museums worldwide.