Sweat and Blood presents Diana Burkot’s (Russia, b. 1985) societally urgent yet deeply personal project, shaped by the turbulent times we continue to live through. Initiated in Moscow in 2018, the project brings together activism, music, and art, and continues to unfold in Europe in 2026. Burkot is a member of the activist collective Pussy Riot, which has persistently opposed anti-democratic developments, war, and state violence, particularly since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014.

In the solo exhibition at Kristianstads konsthall (2026), video, installation, performance, and documentary material are brought together, including new works created on site. The exhibition forms an assemblage of narratives that converge in Burkot’s commitment to democratic values—human rights, feminism, and LGBTQ+ rights. Her work confronts discomfort and disturbance directly, using artistic practice as a means of resistance, equality, and justice.

The feminist slogan “the personal is political” by Carol Hanisch resonates strongly in Burkot’s practice. It reflects the understanding that private life is inherently political, and that power operates within both personal and intimate spheres. The inclusion of vulnerable and personal narratives—drawn from both the artist and those she has encountered—is therefore a deliberate and integral part of Sweat and Blood.