I am delighted to share that I have been accepted as a member of the Royal Art Society of New South Wales (RAS NSW).
Founded in 1880, the Royal Art Society of New South Wales has supported Australian artists for more than 145 years through exhibitions, education and the promotion of visual arts. Becoming part of this long-standing artistic community is an important milestone in my professional journey.
As an artist, I am continually seeking opportunities to grow, connect with fellow artists, and contribute to Australia's vibrant arts community. Membership in the Society provides the opportunity to engage with a network of talented artists, participate in exhibitions, and continue developing my artistic practice.
Over the past few years, my work has increasingly focused on celebrating the unique beauty of the Australian landscape through my Tree Portraits series. By combining sculptural relief surfaces with carefully observed colour and light, I aim to encourage viewers to slow down, notice the individuality of native trees, and deepen their connection with the Australian bush.
Joining the Royal Art Society marks another step in this journey. I look forward to exhibiting with the Society, meeting fellow members, and continuing to develop my work while contributing to this respected artistic community.
I would like to thank the Royal Art Society of New South Wales for welcoming me as a member, and I look forward to the opportunities and friendships that lie ahead.
A huge thank you to everyone who joined the workshop! I’m so proud of the beautiful creations you brought to life and all that you achieved with your creativity. A special shoutout to Sandy Bake Shop for hosting us in such a lovely space — your warm and welcoming environment made the day even more enjoyable. And of course, thank you to Nataliya Bake For Ukraine for the delicious sweet treats — you added that extra touch of magic to our day! It was such a joy to share this creative experience with you all. I can’t wait for the next one!
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.
