Colours of Freedom was a group exhibition by True Blue & a Little Bit of Yellow, created to honour Ukrainian Independence Day on 24 August. The exhibition brought together Ukrainian artists living in Australia around a simple but powerful challenge: to create works using only two colours — blue and yellow.
Within this limitation, each artist found their own voice. The palette became a shared language, symbolising freedom, hope, and the ongoing journey of Ukraine’s independence. Despite the restraint, the exhibition was rich in emotion, interpretation, and strength, reflecting resilience through colour alone.
The exhibition was generously supported by the Balmain Association and the Ukrainian Council of NSW, and was presented across two locations: Balmain Watch House Gallery from 11–13 August 2023, and Woollahra Redleaf Gallery from 23–25 August 2023.
Colours of Freedom stood as a reminder that even with the simplest means, art can speak clearly, carry meaning, and bring people together in solidarity.
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.
In 2011, while completing my Master’s degree at UNSW COFA, I joined a student artist group called All For You (AFY). The group brings together artists who were studying at or had graduated from the College of Fine Arts, University of New South Wales. Founded by artist Chi Da Kim, AFY included 32 members representing more than 20 countries, creating a diverse and international creative environment. That year, the group held two exhibitions in Sydney. The first, All For You, took place at Global Gallery in Surry Hills in July 2011. The second exhibition, Transcendency, was held at the Arthouse Hotel in Sydney CBD. These exhibitions marked an important stage in my early exhibition practice in Australia and my engagement with the local contemporary art community.
