The Corch Art Studio

Corch is a Ukrainian word for a beat up old banger of a car, as explained by my friend Anna in Kyiv…

“A F*****d out car that saw some s**t
it’s 99% big car (i mean not regular sedan)
and of course it’s used in a context of war, because it’s like two weeks car
it will be broken, blown up, etc.

In Ukrainian корч derives from корчитися (verb) which is to writhe, to convulse.

Becoming a ‘corch’ is like second and last life of a dying car somewhere in Europe.

It reminds me that even looking miserable and feeling worn out, knowing your story is going to the end you can still be helpful and save someone’s life.”

While I spent time serving in Ukraine, I drove the Corch seen in these pics. I thought Anna’s explanation of the word was such a good metaphor for life and especially for me as I advance in years. The best may still lie ahead. I still have so much to give, to see, to do… and of course create.

In the end my team mate Tommy saved my life after I was blown up by a hand grenade. We met by chance on the train to Kyiv, joined my team and he usually rode shotgun with me in this Corch. He was shot in the arm, so went to hospital with me. Once I left to recover from my injuries he started driving her. I flew home from Germany on Thanksgiving day 2023. He was killed in a head-on car crash performing his military duties in Ukraine within hours of my arrival home. On this third trip, he was there for me from the second I entered Ukraine until the moment I left.

The great sentiment that has come from his death, was to continue to live life well and to the fullest. To Tommy’s memory and in his honor I will endeavor to do so and design a life built around creativity.

This Corch still has some miles left in him.