My journey with oil painting began in year 7, when I was studying at the State Secondary Art School in Kyiv, Ukraine — a highly selective school that required passing three entrance exams in painting, drawing, and composition. It was there that we transitioned from watercolours and gouache to the timeless medium of oils.
I’ve always loved this classical medium. Oils have a long and rich tradition in fine art, and I’ve admired their depth, luminosity, and the way colours blend so seamlessly on the canvas. Working with oils teaches patience and reflection — they dry slowly, giving time to build layers with care and intention.
I feel incredibly fortunate to have received proper academic training in the classical use of oils, alongside in-depth knowledge of anatomy, linear perspective, perception principles, and art history. That foundation continues to shape how I see and create today, allowing me to appreciate not only the technique but also the discipline and history behind every brushstroke.
Cultural Performance at the Ukrainian Festival, Sydney — 2022. In 2022, I curated and produced a major cultural performance at Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour as part of the Ukrainian Festival. The show was created primarily using the private collections of Roxolana Mishalow and Tanya Whitbourn, whose garments carried deep regional and historical significance. This performance was unlike any I had worked on before. All of the models were Ukrainian refugees. Each person on stage carried their own story of displacement, resilience, and survival, which gave the presentation an added layer of meaning that could not be staged or rehearsed. The vibrant regional costumes were intentionally contrasted with the visual narrative behind them. I designed a series of projected slides showing Ukrainian towns and cities before and after the war. Together, costume and imagery created a powerful dialogue — beauty and heritage set against destruction and loss. What emerged was more than a performance. It became a moment of collective remembrance and visibility, honouring Ukrainian culture while acknowledging the realities of war. Through this work, tradition was not frozen in the past, but stood firmly in the present — resilient, human, and deeply alive.
10 July 2026
I am delighted to share that two of my artworks have been selected for The Language of Flowers, a curated group exhibition at & Something Else, a new contemporary gallery in the heart of Manly on Sydney's Northern Beaches. I am grateful for the opportunity to exhibit alongside a talented group of Australian artists. The Language of Flowers celebrates the beauty and symbolism of flowers, inviting to explore the relationship between humanity and the natural world through botanical forms. The exhibition brings together diverse artistic approaches inspired by growth, renewal, transformation, and the fleeting beauty of flowering life. As an artist, nature has always been at the heart of my practice. I am excited to contribute to this conversation through my selected works. See more here: https://www.andsomethingelse.com.au/language-of-flowers The Language of Flowers Exhibition Dates: 10 July – 2 August 2026
