A Living Language of Colour. Petrykivka is a vibrant Ukrainian folk art style that originated in the village of Petrykivka. It is known for its intricate floral, natural, and animal motifs, traditionally painted on white backgrounds. These compositions symbolise harmony, life, and protection, and for generations have been used to decorate homes, everyday objects, and communal spaces. Today, Petrykivka is recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, acknowledging its role in preserving cultural identity through decorative painting.
This tradition has always been close to my heart. What distinguishes Petrykivka from other painting styles is the way it is created — everything is built from expressive brushstrokes that feel like footprints left by different brushes and tools, sometimes even fingertip marks. Each stroke is visible, intentional, and alive, forming complex patterns through simple gestures.
Petrykivka is also unapologetically colourful, ornate, and joyful. Its energy comes from abundance rather than restraint, from movement rather than symmetry. These qualities resonate deeply with me. They speak of celebration, optimism, and a connection to nature that feels both playful and profound.
For me, Petrykivka is more than a decorative style. It is a visual language that carries memory, emotion, and identity — one that continues to inspire my work and reminds me of the power of colour, rhythm, and hand-made marks to tell stories across time and place.
Cultural Performance at the Ukrainian Festival, Sydney — 2022. In 2022, I curated and produced a major cultural performance at Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour as part of the Ukrainian Festival. The show was created primarily using the private collections of Roxolana Mishalow and Tanya Whitbourn, whose garments carried deep regional and historical significance. This performance was unlike any I had worked on before. All of the models were Ukrainian refugees. Each person on stage carried their own story of displacement, resilience, and survival, which gave the presentation an added layer of meaning that could not be staged or rehearsed. The vibrant regional costumes were intentionally contrasted with the visual narrative behind them. I designed a series of projected slides showing Ukrainian towns and cities before and after the war. Together, costume and imagery created a powerful dialogue — beauty and heritage set against destruction and loss. What emerged was more than a performance. It became a moment of collective remembrance and visibility, honouring Ukrainian culture while acknowledging the realities of war. Through this work, tradition was not frozen in the past, but stood firmly in the present — resilient, human, and deeply alive.
Spring Gives Us Hope was a fundraising exhibition by True Blue & a Little Bit of Yellow, held at Mona Vale Pop-Up Gallery on Sydney’s Northern Beaches from 17–28 October 2022. Unstoppable in our commitment, we continued to paint, exhibit, and raise funds to support those in need, using art as a way to respond, connect, and help. The exhibition was filled with colour and optimism — flowers, birds, and vibrant palettes came together to reflect renewal, resilience, and the emotional lift that spring brings. It was an uplifting visual response during a difficult time, offering light and hope through art. We are deeply grateful to everyone who visited, supported the exhibition, and purchased artworks. Your generosity made a real difference. Knowing that, once again, art could help support the people of Ukraine is something that continues to warm our hearts.
