I’m deeply honoured that my painting, St. Andrew’s Church in Kyiv, Ukraine is now part of the City of Sydney Civic Collection.
This artwork was officially presented in May 2025 by Andrew Mencinsky, President of the Ukrainian Council of NSW, to Lord Mayor Clover Moore and the City of Sydney—a gesture of gratitude for their ongoing support of displaced Ukrainians and our community since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
St. Andrew’s Church is a treasured Baroque gem of Kyiv, perched above the historic Podil district. Designed by Italian architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli in the 18th century, it stands as both a cultural icon and a spiritual beacon.
This church holds a special place in my heart — my mum and grandfather were born not far from it, and during my art school years we spent many plein air sessions painting around its beautiful grounds.
The presentation took place a month ago, but I was waiting for the official photos before sharing this moment with you.
Australia’s support of Ukraine and part of my home city Kyiv, now represented in Sydney’s civic collection means more than words can express.
Photography is another way I tell stories. Through the lens, I focus on capturing the essence of a moment — and quite often, that essence is found in something simple and authentic, like a genuine smile. For me, photography is not about staging perfection, but about conveying mood, feeling, and the small details that make each moment distinct. My approach is grounded in clarity and intention: clean, uncluttered compositions mood-driven visual storytelling thoughtful styling, particularly in portrait work I enjoy creating portraits that feel natural, balanced, and well composed, as well as documenting events in a way that is honest, engaging, and true to the atmosphere of the moment. Whether photographing a performance, an event, or an individual, my focus remains consistent — imagery that communicates clearly and carries emotional weight.
Cultural Production at Scale: Behind the Scenes of Diplomatic Performances. Large-scale cultural productions rely on careful planning, close collaboration, and deep respect for historical detail. The costume performance at the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, in 2019 was the most complex project of this kind that I coordinated. It was created for the Embassy of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Women’s Association, and held in honour of the late Christine (Hrystyna) Syvenkyj-Bailey, whose lifelong dedication to Ukrainian cultural heritage continues to resonate deeply. The project required working across multiple teams and private collections to deliver a unified and meaningful performance for a diplomatic audience. For this event, I coordinated 29 models and 17 private collectors, alongside multiple cultural organisations and contributors, bringing together diverse elements into a single coherent presentation. Every detail — from costume construction to the order of presentation — was carefully curated to communicate a clear cultural narrative. My responsibilities spanned curatorial decision-making, logistical coordination, visual design, and narrative development, ensuring that each component supported the overall experience. An earlier performance in 2018, initiated by Christine Syvenkyj-Bailey, was created primarily on the basis of her personal collection. My role focused on shaping the presentation, coordinating contributors, and translating the collection into a clear and engaging public performance. Creating region-appropriate floral head wreaths and jewellery for such a large number of models was particularly challenging, both creatively and logistically. Managing the transport, handling, and return of numerous historical and handmade items required precision and care, but the process was completed successfully without loss or damage. Following the event, I designed a commemorative calendar featuring photographs taken during the performance by Tetiana Matsypura, extending the life of the project beyond the event itself.
