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.
Our double solo exhibition at Chatswood Art Space on The Concourse was an experience we will long remember. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who visited, supported the exhibition, and purchased artworks — your engagement made this show truly meaningful. Out of my 28 artworks presented (18 on the walls and 10 in storage), 19 have found new homes. Over the ten days of the exhibition, we had the privilege of speaking with around 600 visitors, and we are deeply grateful for the thoughtful feedback and personal stories shared along the way. Special thanks go to the Willoughby Council staff and Mayor Tanya Taylor for their support and smooth organisation. We are also thankful to our guest speaker Alan Davies and musician Viktoria Stepanenko, whose contributions added depth and warmth to the opening evening. The atmosphere throughout the exhibition was generous and engaging. We hope visitors carried a sense of positivity with them, and perhaps a renewed desire to connect with nature — something art does best when it is shared.
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.
