Places of PowerВід UARTIST / 20 Листопада, 2023 Alina Lobanova, In the moment, watercolour and acrylic on canvas, 70x50 cm, 2023 I was born and raised in the Transcarpathian region of Ukraine, a multinational area with fantastic scenery. I'm filled with emotions when I contemplate nature and explore the lives of people who grew up in that region. This work is a selfie I took this summer in a mountain village. I had a few colored pencils and a wild desire to stop the moment. It's endless landscapes, the smell of fresh hay, and the church bell calling for Sunday service.Link to artist Viktoriia Berezina, Native Land, digital collage, 50x40 cm, 2023 The place of my strength is in the expanses of the Ukrainian steppe in my native land, the city of Kherson. The nature of my native land is my refuge and source of inspiration. It is like a divine essence that gives strength and hope, allowing us to return to our roots. Now, the invaders are trying to take our lands, but I know that we will cope and will not let them do it. I believe that soon, I will be able to return home and again feel the earth's energy, which will heal my soul.Link to artist Rymma Vinogradova, Gull / Chaika, acrylic, coal, pastel on canvas, 40x50 cm, 2023 Entire historical epochs and human destinies are buried under tons of water created by careless human hands in defiance of all the laws of nature. Grand Meadow (Velykyi Luh), the cradle of the Zaporizhzhia Cossacks, is a place that has been hiding Ukrainian historical heritage and memory for decades, despite those who deny it. The Kakhovka Dam, built in 1956, was destroyed by the russian occupiers in June 2023. After the water was released, many historical artifacts were found.Link to artist Yuliia Ustymenko, Pink fairy tale, oil painting on canvas, 40x50 cm, 2023 No, it's not the process of cell division under a microscope. These are pink lakes situated on the Kinburn Spit, near the village of Heroiske. Salt has been extracted here since the 16th century. There are approximately ten pink lakes in Ukraine, all located in the southern part of the country. The lakes owe their fantastic color to the single-celled microalgae Dunaliella salina. The lakes transform into a genuine pink fairy tale every summer, leaving you breathless with awe.Link to artist Olha Matviienko, St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery, watercolor on paper, 50x70 cm, 2023 The St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery in Kyiv, Ukraine, is a bastion of strength. It is a place of calmness, safety, warm family Easter celebrations, peace, and long, tranquil walks for those seeking solace in solitude. This historical site is a tourist attraction and a venue for official celebrations. It was a shelter and a hospital for those who participated in Euromaidan. It is a place of memory for the heroes who died defending Ukraine.Link to artist Valeriia Prasol, Symphony of Earth and Heaven, digital art, 50x40 cm, 2023 This painting is a window to my soul and a place of strength that I found in the harmony of nature. The wheat field and the post-rain dark sky in Pytomnyk village, Kharkiv region, is a gateway to my inner world, where I find inspiration and peace and all my thoughts become clear. I want to share this experience with you. It’s not just a landscape - a spiritual space, a piece of my Ukraine.Link to artist Liudmyla Popova, The sun is low, the evening is near, acrylic painting on canvas, 50x40 cm, 2023 The village of Vyla-Yaruzki in the Vinnytsia region is my place of strength. It has been the ancestral home of my family for generations. The village is situated in a picturesque area on the granite slabs of the Podolian upland near the Murafa River. The river flows through the lowlands between rocky hills, meandering around stone formations and creating swift cascades and tranquil expanses. I love coming here for inspiration, tranquility, clean air, and the freshness of the water springs.Link to artist Maryna Karapetian, Memories: Steppe's Heat and Freedom, mixed media on paper, 70x50 cm, 2023 This painting is my memory from 2016. It depicts the Ukrainian steppe landscape, as seen from the window of a moving car along the route from Kyiv to my native, already-occupied Donetsk. The heat envelops, the latitude expands, and an intrinsic will and power emerge from these spaces. In the abstract depiction, each stroke echoes the pulsating rhythm of the journey, portraying the steppe as a symbol of freedom, unrestricted by any barriers to existence. This life-giving force will endure despite anything.Link to artist Iuliia Shulga, Homesick, analogue collage, 70x50 cm, 2023 The Ukrainian Carpathian Mountains are a pure source of strength. They are healers, offering solace through their breathtaking natural beauty, crisp air, dense forests, crystalline streams, and captivating meadows. They are guardians not only of Ukraine but also of nature itself, preserving its sanctity and vitality. They are keepers of the traditions, mystical Ukrainian folklore, age-old legends, and rich cultural heritage. They are my home, where I find a profound connection to my roots and an unwavering sense of belonging.Link to artist Galla Berezovska, Deceptive peace, photography, 50x40 cm, 2023 It was a beautiful morning after a terrible night of shelling of Kyiv. Every time after a rocket attack, I try to have a walk in the fields. I live on the outskirts of Kyiv, and there are meadows and a river bend opposite my house. After the horrors of rocket attacks, this peaceful landscape can seem deceptive, but this calmness of nature gives me the strength to continue the fight.Link to artist Halyna Nechyporuk, Rocks. Odesa. Ukraine, watercolor on paper, 70x50 cm, 2023 As I stand on the shores of the Black Sea in Odesa, at my beloved beach named "Rocks," I'm engulfed by a sense of inner strength. The watercolor painting encapsulates my sanctuary, where I find solace and inspiration. The tranquil sea, its waves gently lapping against the rugged cliffs, becomes an endless source of comfort. This is where I could lose myself for hours, finding the strength to face life's challenges in the serene embrace of nature.Link to artist Iryna Bondar, Volyn. The sun is setting, oil painting on canvas, 40x50 cm, 2023 Unique and charming Volyn is characterized by huge plains that stretch beyond the horizon. For me, this area evokes a feeling of purity and unique beauty: virgin ancient forests, substantial transparent lakes with sandy bottoms, and an emerald plain as far as the eye can see. It's a place to relax and recharge. The village of Serehovichi, in the Volyn region, holds special significance for our family because here, our roots and our family's history are enriched by the heroic past of this land.Link to artist Iryna Tatarenko, Kyiv mascarones, digital collage, 70x50 cm, 2023 Walking through Kyiv, I was captivated by the mascarons on houses in the historical part of the city. In the past, mascarons served as talismans against evil spirits and otherworldly beings and contained encrypted messages or meanings. My favorite mascaron is the sad face of a beautiful woman on one of the central streets of Kyiv.Link to artist Oleksandra Oliinyk, At grandma's in the village, acrylic painting on canvas, 50x40 cm, 2023 My childhood place is the village Vilne near the Dnipro. Grandma reads on the bench near the house, and the granddaughter, distracted by her game, jumps up to listen. Behind them flows the Samara River. This evokes nostalgia for childhood, love, and respect for the family line. No matter how many beautiful places we travel to or live in, the most fulfilling is where we grew up, felt loved, and were happy. It is the natural place of strength.Link to artist Eugenie Eremeichuk, Secret beach in Odesa, soft pastel on paper, 40x50 cm, 2023 The beach in the village of Fontanka, located in the south of Ukraine, in Odesa, is a special place for me. It is a wild beach with clean stones and orange-red hills, next to which there is a forest and a small waterfall known only to the locals. This is where you can truly feel the greatness and unity with nature. The sea is constantly changing and renewing itself. And we also hope that Ukraine will recover when the war ends.Link to artist Bogdan Shiptenko, Big Water, watercolor painting, 40x50 cm, 2023 This landscape symbolizes the unbreakable spirit of those who came together to help the regions affected by the explosion at the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant, particularly the Kherson region. Volunteers tirelessly assisted, rescuing people and animals in distress. The painting symbolizes collective strength, serving as a reminder of Places of Power - spaces where empathy, compassion, and unity flourish. It prompts reflection on personal strengths, encouraging us to contribute to rebuilding and restoring hope in the face of tragedy.Link to artist Nataliia Zasornova, Syvash Lake. The pink miracle of Ukraine, watercolor on paper, 50x40 cm, 2023 Lake Syvash, located between the Kherson region and Crimea, attracts with its unusual pink color and healing properties. There is nothing like it in Europe. I am amazed that the color's intensity depends on factors such as air temperature, wind speed, weather, and season. The color itself is associated with the algae Dunaliella salina. Those who want to see pink waves crashing on the yellowish shore are welcome to come here after our Victory and the return of Crimea to Ukraine.Link to artist Kateryna Nazarenko, Pink lakes of Ukraine, watercolor on paper, 50x70 cm, 2023 Sivash Bay's pink lakes in the Kherson Region are Europe's unique natural wonder. Lemurian Lake, Ukraine's "Dead Sea," boasts exceptional healing properties with its 35% salinity and rich mineral content. In the 16th-18th centuries, Henyches'ke Lake marked the start of the Chumaks' Way, with Chumaks delivering salt to Europe. It's the sole source of beta-carotene salt in just four mines globally. I dream of visiting lakes after Ukraine's victory and invite you to explore these extraordinary locations.Link to artist Delnara El, Inner forest, watercolor on paper, 50x40 cm, 2023 The painting captures the VDNG orangery in Kyiv, my favorite city shrine, my place of strength. Here, you can escape from the noisy city and go beyond the limits of another world, even amidst the horrors of war. In this work of art, lush greenery, and architectural sophistication symbolize the power of nature, reminding us of the power of finding solace even in a city of millions. The title "Inner Forest" alludes to each person's inner strength and ability to find their inner sanctuary amidst life's challenges.Link to artist Olena Oleksiienko, Quiet flow of time - Ros river, oil painting on canvas, 70x50 cm, 2023 The ancient cradle of Slavic civilization, the River Ros', gave its name to Kyiv Rus. In the village of Khokhitva, the mighty river meets the 8-million-year-old Bohuslav granite exposure. This natural geological landmark, with stunning scenery, is also a place of strength. It's an exceptionally energetic location where the smooth, unhurried river flow alternately rushes through stones with unstoppable force and gently embraces age-old boulders. Overcoming obstacles breaks free and flows freely once again. This way, we overcome all challenges and steadfastly believe in the future.Link to artist Olena Nahorniuk, Strength from above, watercolor on paper, 40x50 cm, 2023 A hike in the Ukrainian Carpathians is a fascinating and emotional experience you will want to relive repeatedly. You leave your belongings and problems in the lowlands and rise above the mundane. The morning sun gives you strength. When you watch the sunrise flood the peaks of the Chornohora ridge with pink rays, it feels like they are shining through you and your thoughts, motivating you to carry on, descend, and live your life.Link to artist Marianna Nerozna, New Day, oil painting on canvas, 50x70 cm, 2023 You are watching the sunrise on Mount Pip Ivan in the Verkhovyna district of the Ivano-Frankivsk region, Carpathians. The snow-capped peaks emerging through the fluffy clouds give this place a unique atmosphere. The greatness and beauty of nature fascinate you, inviting you to travel and explore.Link to artist Julia Kalinceva, Zaporozhian Sich on Khortytsya Island, gouache on paper, 50x40 cm, 2023 Khortytsya Island in my hometown, Zaporizhzhya, is my vital source of strength. It is the largest island on the Dnipro River and a natural monument. Boasting oak and coniferous forests, grassy steppes, and meadows fill the place with beauty. Its shores captivate you with breathtaking views of the rushing Dnipro waters, stone rapids, and the Dnipro HPP. Khortytsia Island is the cradle of Cossacks and keeps these pages of history in the museum and recreated historical and cultural complex "Zaporozhian Sich."Link to artist Daria Habich, Peaceful sky, acrylic on canvas, 30x40 cm, 2023 The canvas depicts a peaceful sky in the form of soap bubbles, which, on the one hand, is very carefree. On the other hand, it carries a symbolic load - a reminder that a peaceful sky is not a given but an excellent happiness for which the whole world must fight. Because at any moment, it can turn into a soap bubble. While painting this artwork, I was inspired by the views of the fields along the E95 highway.Link to artist Natalka Nechay, Totokha, acrylic on canvas, 40x50 cm, 2023 Mount Totokha - Ukrainian Tibet. There is a small mountain of great strength near Medvin, Kyiv region. This is Totoha, known as the energy center of Ukraine. Its influence on people is similar to that of Tibet. At the same time, many beautiful objects and places inspire Ukrainians. It could be an ancient willow, a spring stream, steppe grasses, or a shirt embroidered by a great-grandmother with old amulet ornaments, symbols of goodness, fertility, and love.Link to artist StellarSun, Time, digital painting, 40x50 cm, 2023 “Time” is the main symbol of the Ternopil Oblast and a precious, elusive human resource. Park with a three-sided clock in Ternopil where time pauses, offering a respite and a refuge from the hustle of everyday life. A three-eyed dial twirls its hands around its axis and becomes our anchor, preventing us from falling out of reality and keeping us in tune with minute steps.Link to artist Bozhena Kushnir, Support, analog collage, 70x50 cm, 2022 One of my places of strength is the city of Lviv, where I frequently create collages in my favorite cafe. Here, I relish a delightful cup of coffee and an incredible view of the Cathedral and a small street, exploring and recording my feelings since the full-scale russian invasion of Ukraine began. This collage is about people who fled from the war, most of whom have found refuge in Lviv or passed through it. It is about the mutual help of Ukrainians and the hospitality of Lviv.Link to artist
