I've been immersed in the art of crafting wooden sculptures for as long as my memory reaches. However, when the storm of war descended upon Ukraine, sculpting became more than a passion; it became my refuge from the stress and relentless barrage of war-related news. It was during this tumultuous period that a revelation struck - I could leave behind the undesired trappings of conventional work and forge a livelihood out of doing what I truly love.
This realization brought about a fundamental shift in my perspective. While my creations had always been crafted with care for friends, family, and those dear to me, the idea of selling my works to a broader audience had never been a priority. Each piece, whether initially intended for a specific person as a talisman or created with a sense of patience, waited years or even decades to find its destined owner.
About half of my works have been brought into existence in the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, serving as both a testament to resilience and a means of processing the challenging times. Amidst ongoing creation, there are still sculptures in progress, capturing the evolving essence of my artistic journey.
Fortuitously, my art found a platform on Artmajeur, prompting me to join the ranks of artists worldwide. Now, I embark on this global artistic venture, sharing my wooden sculptures with the world, each piece carrying not just my craft but the unique story of survival and creativity born from adversity.
As an artist who has faced the challenges of a country house under occupation for six long months, I'm thrilled to share that all the artworks I brought from that period are now fully restored, photographed, and have found a new home in an Artmajeur gallery.
Getting these pieces back in shape was not only a great feeling, but it also helped me revisit my previous work. It sparked my imagination and reignited my desire to keep creating.
On top of the completed works, I also brought along a bunch of different types of wood, and they are just waiting to be turned into new creations.
This exhibition is a reflection of my journey, resilience, and the simple joy of creating art. It's an invitation to all to join me in celebrating the power of art and the triumph of creativity over adversity.
All current sculptures for sell (except for the Torch and the Three Elephants) were made after the Russian invasion. I did not leave Kharkiv since the time war conflict started and worked under the daily bombings. The work distracted me from the horrors of the war.
Recently, Ukrainian troops liberated most of the Kharkiv region and I was able to get out to the city region and pick up 52 more sculptures from my collection. Before that time - I had no idea what state they were into.
At the moment I am working on cataloging them and at the same time creating new sculptures.
Today, August 30th, I've finished filling Artmajeur gallery with my works.
I've been adding some of my old works as well as new works that I've been actively creating after the war started.
A picture represents working in progress this year
