There is a particular kind of magic in creating art surrounded by so many artworks. Working within the exhibition space was deeply inspiring, and behind us you could glimpse True Blue & a Little Bit of Yellow — AUSTRALIANA unfolding around the workshops. I am immensely proud of everyone who took part in the painting workshops during the Australiana exhibition. Scarlett banksia bloomed in every artwork, each one different, each one full of care and attention.
The second workshop focused on native flowers, and the results were so strong that it became hard to tell which work was mine and which belonged to the participants. That level of engagement and confidence is something truly special.
People often ask how to cope with stress, how to live with worry, how not to feel overwhelmed by the news from Ukraine. My answer is simple: respond in the way you can, and stay connected. Art, shared time, and human presence matter.
Thank you to everyone who came to support, create, and be present. I hope these workshops brought moments of light and positive energy. We choose to live fully, to stay strong, stay together, and find joy in art and friendship — despite everything.
I’m honoured to be featured in the Ukrainian magazine The Woman, where I share my journey as an artist and as a Ukrainian woman living and creating in Australia. The article reflects on my creative path, the experiences that shaped my practice, and the way art has helped me stay connected to both place and identity while building a life on the other side of the world. Living between two countries has taught me that connection to homeland doesn’t disappear with distance — it transforms. Through my work, I carry memories, values, and cultural references from Ukraine into my life in Australia, creating a quiet dialogue between the two. Art becomes a bridge, linking landscapes, histories, and emotional ties across continents, and allowing me to feel grounded in both places at once. It is always meaningful to see this story resonate beyond my immediate community, especially when it reaches readers who may recognise their own experiences of migration, belonging, and cultural memory. I’m grateful to the editorial team for their interest and thoughtful approach to telling my story.
1 April 2026
My solo exhibition Echoes of the Bush was held at Art Space Gallery, The Concourse in Chatswood. It grew from a deep admiration for Australian nature and a close, ongoing observation of my surroundings. The result was a series of tree portraits and studies of bush textures — works that sit somewhere between painting and sculpture, and are truly meant to be experienced in person. Over 12 days, the exhibition unfolded into something far richer than I could have anticipated. The opening night set the tone — with a thoughtful address by Alan Davies and a moving performance by soprano and bandura player Larissa Kovalchuk. It was a beautiful beginning, and one that stayed with me throughout the exhibition. Across the two weeks, the gallery became a place of connection. We held two fully booked workshops, shared hundreds of conversations, and welcomed a steady flow of visitors — 1,146 people in total. Each interaction, each question, each moment of curiosity added something meaningful to the experience. It was also a great honour to welcome the Mayor of Willoughby, Tanya Taylor, and to feel the genuine support of the Willoughby Council team throughout the entire process. Their encouragement made a real difference. The exhibition has now come to a close — 12 intense and incredibly rewarding days. I’m deeply grateful to everyone who visited, who spent time with the work, and who shared their thoughts and impressions. It truly takes just one kind word to shape someone’s experience, and I felt that kindness every day. A special thank you to those who chose to take a piece of this exhibition home. It means a great deal to know that the works will continue their life in your spaces.
