My work investigates the process of ageing, the impact of grief and the symbiotic relationship between humans and nature.
My work investigates the process of ageing, the impact of grief and the symbiotic relationship between humans and nature.
I look closely at the damage time imposes on the human body and mind, affecting the structures in the brain responsible for language, memories, and consciousness, in people with dementia.
Having produced “Vanishing Point”, my latest body of work, I now proudly represent Arts 4 Dementia, a leading UK charity promoting creativity for people affected by dementia and raise awareness and compassion.
Much of my work is constructed from material found on building sites, which I give another life to by modifying its past function. Burning, cutting, and breaking, then mending and repairing. Treasuring the ordinary or broken is an essential part of my creative practice.
Through my art I look at resilient grieving; growth in the midst of a challenge or cultivation of post traumatic-growth. My recently launched “Grief Letter” project gets positive support from people around the world who want to communicate their grief, with many finding it a more manageable step towards accepting and embracing the new you, being compassionate, curious and non-judgmental towards yourself. “Grief Letter” is a community-based project where people can share their personal experience of loss and grief in a form of a letter. The letters are responded by me individually through different media.
I continue to study the symbiotic relationship between humans and nature: the contrast between natural harmony and human distress, the correlation in growth and decay, the energies of spaces, transience of human form, and the value of mindful reflection on the present moment.
My current project includes collaboration with two photographers to explore the healing comfort of nature amidst challenges of trauma and anxiety. I continue to research the philosophy of ageing and somatic methods for my creative practice.
Profile
I am Ukrainian-British conceptual artist. My work is primarily constructed from materials found on building sites and in nature. Working in a broad range of media, including photography, video, sculpture and paint, I aim to give decayed objects a new function and extend their life. I am continuing to research the philosophy of grief, positive ageing and the transformative impact of dementia on individual’s physical and mental state.
My mission is to remind about the fragility of life, the beauty of ageing, promote grief support and healing practices, to raise awareness about dementia, foster positive choices that exist in the communities for people affected by dementia and highlight the importance of creative practice for them and their families. I am honoured to work with Arts 4 Dementia- a leading UK charity that provides art opportunities to empower people living with dementia and their carers.
Education
1995 - 2000 BA Hons English and German Languages, Cherkasy State University, Ukraine
2003 - 2004 MSc Medical, Scientific and Technical Translation, Russian-English, Imperial
College
2020 – pr. Member of Studio Fridays
Features & Publications
• Borrowed Time by Art.Earth
• The New Artist, Boomer Gallery Magazine, London
• Tebbs Contemporary Art Gallery Featured Artist July 2021
•Culture Health and Wellbeing Alliance blog post
• Better Together Artists Guest Artist
• The Stables in Exile Free Art Gallery Featured Artist October 2021
• 64 Million Artists Weekly challenge feature
Exhibitions
2022 Studio Fridays Art Fair (October)
2022 Art without Boundaries Online exhibition
2022 St Albans Visual Art Festival, S Albans Cathedral
2022 Trauma and Healing, Come as you Are, Espacio Gallery, London
2022 The Art of Grieving, St Albans Museum Gallery
2021 Curating Futures Immaterial Virtual exhibition and collaboration
2021 Solo Exhibition Vanishing Point, The Crypt Gallery, London (6-11
October)
2021 Curator’s Salon Virtual Autumn Exhibition (Sept-Nov) featuring international
artists
2021 St Albans Museum Gallery, a monthly residency of selected members from the
2021 Flux Review Virtual Exhibition (August) connecting international artists
2021 Supporting Arts 2021 Online Exhibition (September) platform for emerging
artists
2021 Affordable Art Fair Battersea, representing Arts 4 Dementia (June)
2021 Body as Nature, Body as Self, Aghaevaprojects Open Space Exhibition,
Norwich, exploring nature and human connection
2021 Spring Bounce Exhibition, Nude Tin Can Gallery, St Albans (May) local artists
group show
2021 Worldwide-Instagram Group Exhibition, The Stable Gallery, Hampshire (April)
2021 Open Fragments, Pragmata Collective (March)exploring inclusivity, empathy
and connection
2020 Power, Pride, Rebirth, Collective Art Gallery, St Albans (October) Local artists
group show
2020 BIG Art Showcase, Herts Visual Arts (July) Annual exhibition
2019 Capturing the Moment, Solo Exhibition, Radlett Centre, Hertfordshire
(September)
Professional Organisations
A-N, Visual Artists Association, Smart Artists Hub, Herts Visual Arts, Collective Gallery
