The Anthology of Saint Javelin

Illustrated by Ukrainian Artist Oleh Semak

The background story and the meaning behind the reimagination of the Saint Javelin icon.

As we’ve been working hard to evolve Saint Javelin, we knew we wanted to collaborate with talented Ukrainian artists to create meaningful new artwork for our clothing.

As we searched for creatives whose vision and values aligned with ours, we discovered the intricate illustrations of Oleh Semak. A renowned Ukrainian artist, Oleh captures the harsh reality of life in war through his work. His art is meticulously detailed and famous for translating the trauma of war while presenting themes of resilience, hope and an inextinguishable spirit. 

Oleh also sees art as a tool to counteract the disconnection from cultural values in the digital age, embedding hidden messages that speak to the search for identity and historical continuity.

When we asked Oleh to work with us, he wanted to reimagine the iconic Saint Javelin in his distinctive style. He asked us for photos that represent the work “Saint Javelin” has done, what we stand for and the powerful community we’ve become. From there, he began to work on the illustrations for “The Anthology of Saint Javelin”. 

Let us guide you through the design elements and the hidden symbols woven into this unique piece.

At first glance, the artwork retains the iconic silhouette of Saint Javelin, but a closer look reveals a deeper, in parts unsettling, narrative. 

The nimbus (above her head) formed by ruined buildings, references the daily bombings and devastation endured by Ukrainian homes, schools, and cities. 

While the Javelin was once a symbol of battlefield success, the figure now holds an air defense missile, reflecting Ukraine’s ongoing plea for stronger defenses against indiscriminate Russian airstrikes, a plea for the right to self-defense. 

The images depicted on the Saint’s head scarf symbolize both the global significance of the war and the international community’s response, which has mobilized in support of Ukraine and continues crucial efforts to this day. 

The half-cyborg face of the Saint can be seen as a tribute to Ukraine’s original “cyborgs,” the defenders of Donetsk Airport in 2014, who still fight today. Alternatively, it may represent the shift towards technological warfare, a transformation we are witnessing firsthand, with this war as a key catalyst.

As we move down the artwork, we notice the Saint's bionic prosthetic arm—a poignant reminder that more than 20,000 Ukrainian soldiers have lost limbs in battle. The prevalence of prosthetics has become a part of daily life in Ukraine, driving societal shifts toward greater inclusivity and accessibility for people with disabilities. Bionic prosthetics offer those with amputations a chance to regain a sense of normalcy, allowing them to return as closely as possible to the physical abilities they once had.

To the left of the bionic arm, a drone operator controls the drones encircling the Saint. While drones have been part of warfare for decades, the scale of their use in Ukraine has surged dramatically. Once reserved for specialized tasks, they’ve now become essential weapons. Small, cost-effective FPV (first-person view) drones have proven especially powerful, capable of destroying multi-million-dollar equipment. At Saint Javelin, we’ve partnered with the Ukrainian World Congress and other trusted volunteers to fundraise and donate FPV drones to defenders in need, supporting Ukraine’s efforts on the battlefield.

In the center of the artwork, a menacing smile reminds viewers that it's "HIMARS o’clock." After the Javelin, depicted being launched by two soldiers in the bottom left, the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) has become one of the most impactful and beloved Western weapons in Ukraine. Its arrival forced the Russians to relocate their depots farther from the frontline, significantly disrupting their logistics. In response to HIMARS’ popularity, we even launched a line of designs featuring Saint HIMARS and other memes celebrating this game-changing system. 

Beneath the HIMARS, boxes of aid represent everything we’ve provided to support Ukraine, from humanitarian supplies and generators to tactical medicine. Saint Javelin is proud to have contributed over $2.5 million to various organizations and volunteers working on the ground. 

The sunflower growing from the aid boxes symbolizes hope—hope to continue supporting those fighting for freedom, hope that our strong community will remain united, and hope that together we can endure and triumph over adversity. 

This artwork embodies both struggle and unity, telling the ongoing story of Saint Javelin’s role in this war.