Andrey Kozlov, a Russian-Israeli hostage rescued from Hamas captivity after enduring eight months of what he describes as "hell," has channeled his traumatic experiences into a powerful art collection set to debut in New York City, The New York Post reported. The exhibition represents Kozlov's journey, with works depicting his harrowing captivity experiences, including being restrained with chains, blindfolded, and bound with rope.
His upcoming exhibition titled "So-Real Surreal" will open next month at New York's Lux Contemporary gallery, featuring twelve emotionally charged paintings that draw inspiration from art history giants including Picasso's blue period and Edvard Munch's "The Scream". Kozlov explained his artistic motivation to The New York Post, stating: "To create something like this, it speaks for me. It's another way to tell the story."
According to The New York Post, the St. Petersburg-born Kozlov, who is not Jewish, relocated to Israel just 13 months before the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, motivated by a desire to escape potential conscription into Russia's military campaign in Ukraine. Before his relocation, Kozlov had contemplated, "What are the chances of being in a terror attack?"
Kozlov was employed as an unarmed security guard at the Nova music festival on Oct. 7 when he was captured by a terrorist and transported to Gaza. This terrifying journey is portrayed in his painting titled "Highway to Hell," which illustrates the frightening car ride he endured alongside fellow hostage Shlomi Ziv.
Andrey Kozlov arbetade som säkerhetsvakt vid Nova-festivalen och blev kidnappad av Hamas.
Den 8 juni år 2024 räddades han och tre andra ur gisslan av israeliska specialstyrkor.
Nu har Andrey gjort flera målningar där han förvandlat sin smärta efter att hållits som gisslan i 8… pic.twitter.com/BljDu2nZr9
— Christoffer Jonsson (@kurrejonsson) April 19, 2025
One abstract piece called "Maybe" depicts the dark, narrow alleyways through which Hamas repeatedly moved Kozlov during his eight months in captivity, illustrating moments when he questioned if he would ever survive. During his time in captivity, Kozlov found solace in drawing on whatever blank paper he could find.
"It was just for my soul and to get my mind out of this prison," Kozlov told The New York Post, describing his artistic coping mechanism. He was eventually rescued along with three other hostages during a June 2024 operation conducted by Israeli Defense Forces special forces.
The rescue operation, conducted by an elite commando unit, involved intense gunfire and aerial strikes to liberate Kozlov along with fellow captives Shlomi Ziv, Almog Meir Jan, and Noa Aragmani. Aragmani, who became a recognizable figure after footage showed her kidnapping by a motorcycle-riding terrorist, was recently honored as one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people of 2024.
Kozlov characterizes his rescue date as one of his "three birthdays," alongside his actual birth date and surviving the Oct. 7 attack, telling The New York Post: "It's the best day of my life." Following his liberation, Kozlov discovered that painting on canvas became a therapeutic outlet, revealing emotions he didn't know he possessed.
"I didn't know I could do something like that," he said regarding his autobiographical Munch-inspired piece titled "The Gift." Kozlov's story connects to New York City, where he relocated after his rescue to pursue art therapy opportunities and engage with the city's vibrant art community, working on his collection in studios located in Greenpoint and Chelsea.
Emanuel Friedman, whose gallery will host Kozlov's exhibition, predicts the collection will be preserved in museums "for years and years to come," according to The New York Post. Kozlov, who now resides in Midtown Manhattan, acknowledged his unexpected role: "By accident, I became a symbol of hope."
"I have a second chance. I need to use it," Kozlov stated, reflecting on his newfound purpose following his traumatic ordeal and subsequent artistic awakening.
