Being part of the Heartlands multimedia performance at Cell Block Theatre, Sydney, was a true privilege and an honour. It was a project driven by an incredibly motivated and generous team — a real dream team — and the result was powerful. A person, who came up with the idea of this unique event never held in Sydney before, creative director and producer of Heartlands – Linda Gough.
For this performance, I created the artwork of a golden wheat field rising from black soil. Ukraine is often called the breadbasket of Europe, and its fertile land has long nourished not only grain, but literature, music, and cultural memory. This image became the visual heart of the event, reflecting both abundance and endurance.
Heartlands offered audiences a deep experience of Ukrainian culture through poetry, music, storytelling, food, and shared presence. To my knowledge, it was the most substantial Ukrainian literary performance ever staged in the Southern Hemisphere, and I am proud to have supported it.
My role extended across the full visual identity of the event. I created the key artwork used throughout all materials, designed print collateral including posters, programmes, and food signage, developed digital assets for multiple platforms, and contributed to stage design. During the performance, my artwork formed the visual backdrop on the large screen behind the performers, shaping the atmosphere of the evening.
Heartlands remains one of the most meaningful projects I’ve been involved in — a genuine fusion of art, culture, and community, and a reminder of how creative collaboration can carry both beauty and purpose.
My journey with oil painting began in year 7, when I was studying at the State Secondary Art School in Kyiv, Ukraine — a highly selective school that required passing three entrance exams in painting, drawing, and composition. It was there that we transitioned from watercolours and gouache to the timeless medium of oils. I’ve always loved this classical medium. Oils have a long and rich tradition in fine art, and I’ve admired their depth, luminosity, and the way colours blend so seamlessly on the canvas. Working with oils teaches patience and reflection — they dry slowly, giving time to build layers with care and intention. I feel incredibly fortunate to have received proper academic training in the classical use of oils, alongside in-depth knowledge of anatomy, linear perspective, perception principles, and art history. That foundation continues to shape how I see and create today, allowing me to appreciate not only the technique but also the discipline and history behind every brushstroke.
10 July 2026
I am delighted to share that two of my artworks have been selected for The Language of Flowers, a curated group exhibition at & Something Else, a new contemporary gallery in the heart of Manly on Sydney's Northern Beaches. I am grateful for the opportunity to exhibit alongside a talented group of Australian artists. The Language of Flowers celebrates the beauty and symbolism of flowers, inviting to explore the relationship between humanity and the natural world through botanical forms. The exhibition brings together diverse artistic approaches inspired by growth, renewal, transformation, and the fleeting beauty of flowering life. As an artist, nature has always been at the heart of my practice. I am excited to contribute to this conversation through my selected works. See more here: https://www.andsomethingelse.com.au/language-of-flowers The Language of Flowers Exhibition Dates: 10 July – 2 August 2026
