Artist Statement

Since I was a child, my maternal Ukrainian heritage has played an important role in the shaping of my beliefs. Tradition and superstition are just two elements of this culture that are passed down from generation to generation. As I have reached adulthood, these elements have increasingly influenced my daily life, raising questions and curiosities that I confront through art. By using materials that echo my grandparents’ lives, such as steel and fabric, a dialogue is created to allow for the exploration of a spiritual connection. It is also through sensory experience that this connection is able to grow stronger. The smell of steel, for example, reminds me of my grandfather’s shop while certain foods resonate memories of my grandmother.
The process of creating these pieces also plays an important role; it can be thought of as a contemplative study of my heritage. The shared processes that my grandfather performed seem mundane, but I find them essential when creating each work. These repetitive tasks can also be compared to the process of Ukrainian crafts, such as embroidery. Traditional influences can be seen throughout my work, but they are translated in materials that prove to be a fervent link to my Ukrainian forbearers. As a result, this body of work becomes a medium for self-discovery as well as a record of sensorial memory.