I’m delighted to share that my artwork “Bottlebrush Symphony” received the Gallery 11:11 Art Prize / People’s Choice Award!
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who visited the exhibition, voted, and shared in this wonderful experience. Your support, encouragement, and kind words mean so much to me.
The winning piece, “Bottlebrush Symphony,” will be available for purchase through the Gallery 11:11 website for the next eight weeks: www.gallery1111.net
It was such a joy to celebrate this moment surrounded by art lovers,
friends, and the creative community.
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.
Furniture Decoration — Art You Can Live With. Working with furniture brings me a particular kind of joy. Three-dimensional objects are experienced from all sides, revealing a different picture as you move around them. There is something deeply satisfying about applying art to forms that are not only observed, but used and lived with every day. Chairs, tables, cabinets, and screens become surfaces where colour, texture, and form extend beyond the wall. Decorated furniture has the power to anchor a room. It can become a focal point, decisively unify a colour palette, or bring cohesion to an interior style. When art moves into functional objects, it becomes part of daily rituals, adding character and warmth to everyday moments. The process becomes even more meaningful when an old piece is given a second life. Repairing, recolouring, redesigning, reimagining, and reusing transforms something forgotten into something personal and renewed. Furniture decoration is, for me, a way of combining creativity with care — honouring what already exists while shaping it into something fresh, purposeful, and full of story.
