About the Project

This project began in 2023 when Parker Watt was on an internship at the University of Tartu in Estonia through Stanford University. While working at the Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies and the University of Tartu Ukraine Center, he encountered the stories of Ukrainians who had fled to Estonia as a result of Russia’s full-scale invasion. After further discussions with members of the Ukrainian cultural center in Tartu, Ukraina Maja, he recognized how important cultural preservation and expression are to Ukraine’s survival, both domestically and abroad.

Art serves a particular role in this cultural expression, as artists can draw upon tradition and history, articulate their present experience, and create a cultural future through their work. Understanding artists’ importance, Parker wanted to create a film series that highlights the stories of Ukrainian artists in Estonia and shows how their experiences reflect those of the broader Ukrainian community living there. Drawing upon his previous experience in the film industry, Parker then applied for the U.S. Fulbright Student Research Grant.

Having received the grant, Parker returned to Estonia for a year with a single camera, a light, and a film setup that could fit on his back. The result was Resilient Expression: Ukrainian Artists in Estonia.

Decorated pysanka Easter eggs in a black bowl on a table with a patterned tablecloth; some eggs are on the table, including one with a smoky pattern and another with a floral design.
A person painting a colorful flower on watercolor paper with paints, brush, and palette.
A woman with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing a striped shirt, is sitting at a table writing with a black pen. On the table are two containers holding pens and brushes, a bottle of ink, and some papers. In the background, there are wooden chairs and a wall with decorative sculptures of horses and a window with plants.
A person with light skin and short nails is holding a colorful children's book titled 'Кукупай і кукурудза'. The book cover shows an illustration of two children pointing at a map of Europe, with drawings of books, plants, and a magnifying glass around them, on a dark wooden surface.
Person sitting on a chair at a desk working with a sewing machine, in front of a window with green trees outside, and an iron on an ironing board to the right.
Man smiling at camera holding a professional video camera inside an art gallery with framed artwork and decorative masks on the wall.

About Parker

Parker is passionate about finding the human stories in international events and introducing them through film. His previous film experience includes being an Assistant to the Director on two independent professional film sets and a Production Assistant on the Netflix series Pieces of Her. Before starting his Fulbright project, Parker received his Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations and a minor in Slavic Languages and Literature from Stanford University.

A woman with short brown hair wearing a white shirt with a faux fur vest decorating colorful Ukrainian pysanka Easter eggs at a table.
A woman sitting indoors near a window, looking outside, with a tree partially blocking the view.
A person's hand holding a decorated black Christmas ornament with yellow and blue floral designs, painting it in the style of Ukrainian Petrykivka.

A Special Thank You:

U.S. Student Fulbright Research Program

The Association for the Advancement of Baltic Studies

Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies

The University of Tartu Ukrainian Centre

The Association of Ukrainian Organizations in Estonia

Ukraina Maja, Tartu Ukrainian Cultural Center

VABAMU Museum of Occupations and Freedom

The Tartu Toy Museum

Translators:

Kseniia Karpenkova

Yevheniia Ohu

Yurii Kondratyk

A woman in a black shirt and apron soldering the metal on a stained glass piece in a workshop.
Close-up of hands sewing fabric with a needle and thread, surrounded by sewing pins and fabric samples on a table.
A woman guiding a young man as he paints or draws on a canvas or paper in a cozy, well-lit room with bookshelves and colorful artwork.
Girls in traditional Ukrainian folk costumes performing a dance on stage with arms raised.
Close-up of hands writing on a piece of paper with a blue pen. The paper has a large, bold word 'ВЕСНА' written in black and some smaller blue text underneath.
A woman painting with watercolor on paper at a wooden table in a well-lit room with large windows and green plants.