The Art of MFF | News Flash
This section across various MFF web platforms is powered by artificial intelligence, continuously gathering and updating news as it appears online. Launched in July 2025, this is a new resource. The news feed begins from that date.
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.
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 International Charitable Foundation “Soul of Ukraine.”
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.
Read the full article in Italian on Il Popolo:
👉 Per l’amore dell’umanità
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.