In 2018, I was invited to curate and coordinate a cultural performance for a diplomatic function at the National Gallery of Australia, at the request of the Embassy of Ukraine and on the initiative of Christine Syvenkyj-Bailey. The performance was created primarily from Christine Syvenkyj-Bailey’s private collection, with additional contributions from the collections of Sonia Mycak and Roxolana Mishalow. I am deeply grateful to them for their generosity and trust.
This project was far more than event coordination — it was about giving history a voice. Every costume, ornament, and movement carried memory, identity, and meaning. My role was to carefully weave these elements into a coherent narrative that honoured tradition while allowing it to live and breathe in the present moment.
I oversaw the entire creative and organisational process: selecting traditional Ukrainian costume elements, sourcing authentic garments and objects from private collectors, and recreating historical headpieces and jewellery where originals could not be used. I wrote the presentation script to guide the audience through the story, and designed all visual and printed materials — from slides and banners to invitations, gifts, and calendars — ensuring a unified visual language throughout the event.
Behind the scenes, the work was equally intricate. I coordinated models and assistants, managed the careful transport of costumes and artefacts from Sydney to Canberra and back, and balanced countless logistical details so that, on the day, everything felt effortless and dignified.
What emerged was not simply a performance, but a living expression of cultural memory.
Murals are a powerful way to transform an interior, creating an immediate emotional response and a strong sense of place. Whether subtle and atmospheric or bold and expressive, a mural can change the mood of a room instantly, making it feel more connected, considered, and complete. As a Sydney-based artist and designer, I specialise in creating custom interior murals that integrate seamlessly with residential and commercial spaces. Unlike external murals, interior murals become part of daily life — interacting with natural light, architecture, furniture, and textures. A well-designed mural unites colours, materials, and styles, acting as a visual anchor for the entire interior. I work exclusively with professional, art-quality acrylic paints, chosen for their durability, colour stability, and practicality. Acrylic paint is washable and long-lasting, making it ideal for interiors where both beauty and functionality matter. With correct surface preparation and finishing, an interior mural remains vibrant and resilient for many years. Finish plays a crucial role in the final result. When working with acrylics, it is important not to mix matte and glossy surfaces unintentionally, as this can disrupt the visual harmony of the artwork. A consistent finish ensures the mural reads as a cohesive piece rather than fragmented elements reflecting light differently. An interior mural is often the final design layer — the element that brings everything together. It can soften a minimalist space, add depth to neutral interiors, or create a quiet focal point that enhances the character of a room. Thoughtfully created, a mural does not overpower an interior; it completes it. If you are looking for a custom mural artist in Sydney to create a unique, site-specific artwork for your interior, I welcome collaborations with homeowners, interior designers, architects, and commercial clients.
The exhibition True Blue & a Little Bit of Yellow at Gosford Community Gallery was the first of many we held during the first three years of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It marked a moment when art became a way to stand together, to act, and to help. Seven Australian artists of Ukrainian descent, all living and working in Australia, came together to sell artworks and raise funds for Ukrainians in need. The theme — blue and yellow — was both simple and deeply felt: a tribute to the ocean, to emotion, and to shared experience. We are endlessly grateful to everyone who visited, supported the exhibition, purchased artworks, or made a donation. This exhibition ran from 27 June to 1 July 2022, and it set the tone for everything that followed.
