In August 2024, more than 725 guests gathered at Sydney Town Hall to mark the 33rd anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence, standing together in solidarity, pride, and unity. The event, organised by the Ukrainian Council of NSW, unfolded as a powerful theatrical performance sharing Ukraine’s history, culture, and resilience.
I took part in the program through live sand animation, accompanying the story of Illia — a brave Ukrainian boy who shared his lived experience on stage. As Illia spoke in front of the audience, I illustrated his words in real time with sand, allowing the images to emerge and dissolve alongside his voice. The story was deeply moving — painful, yet filled with hope for a better future.
Working with sand live on stage brings its own challenges. Under pressure, with nerves and lights, even something as simple as sand becomes unpredictable — warm palms, fine grains sticking to skin, moments that cannot be undone. But perhaps that fragility is exactly what made the experience so honest.
Illia’s story was shared with remarkable courage. At just twelve years old, he stood before the audience to tell the truth of what he had lived through. A video of this performance is available, featuring Illia Kyrychenko, with sand animation by Tetiana Koldunenko, and script, direction, and filming by Kateryna Kyrychenko.
It was an honour to be part of a moment where story, image, and human strength met on one stage.
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.
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
