Daria Ivashchenko

## Artist Statement

My work draws from the natural world and is rooted in Contemporary Symbolic Realism, where realistic imagery becomes a means of expressing personal experiences, emotions, and ideas. At its core lies a commitment to joy as a serious artistic position. Through still life, the animal kingdom, and personal narratives, I create a visual language of celebration, pleasure, and the transformation of the ordinary into something extraordinary. These are not incidental moods. They are the subject.

My paintings are deeply autobiographical without being confessional. Familiar creatures and objects take on unexpected roles, carrying layers of symbolism, personal memories, and desires. Through these compositions, I explore my belief that beauty and celebration need not be reserved for special occasions. They can be part of everyday life.

I work primarily in oil on canvas, often incorporating 23-karat gold and metal leaf. While realism gives my subjects a tangible presence, the metallic backgrounds introduce an element of constant change. They respond to light, reflect their surroundings, and subtly transform throughout the day. For me, this is more than a technical choice. It reflects the relationship between permanence and...

Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts - Stage Director of public events
Kyiv Academy of Media Arts - Contemporary Art

Solo Projects:

2020:

"Summer Reflex», Sady Pobedy Mall gallery (Odessa, Kyiv);
"ALLUSIONS", "Mumpsy.Mumpsy.Tattoo", Museum of Kyiv history (Kyiv, Ukraine);

2019:

"Mumpsy.Wants.Tattoo", DialogHub (Kyiv, Ukraine);
"Golden Catch", Gallery Madam Palmgren (Lviv, Ukraine);
"Golden Catch", Lera Litvinova Gallery (Kiev, Ukraine);

Group Projects:

2021:

Group exhibition at the Office of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky

2020:

"One day after", Museum of Kyiv history (Kyiv, Ukraine);
"Backstage view", Museum of Kyiv history (Kyiv, Ukraine);
"Rose quartz", online exhibition Envision Arts, *Best in show;

2019:

"Passaggio in laguna", at Art Studio Loreta Larkina (Venice, Italy);
"To live together", The Naked Room gallery, Kyiv Academy of Media Arts graduates (Kyiv, Ukraine);
"Contemporary Art of Ukraine and Israel", Days of Jewish Culture Vernissage Exhibition Center (Chernivtsi, Ukraine);
"Contemporary Jewish Art" Salvador Dali Art Academy (Kyiv, Ukraine);
"Response Zone", Lera Litvinova Gallery (Kyiv, Ukraine);

2018:

"Anthropology", Lera Litvinova Gallery, (Kyiv, Ukraine);
"Woman's Essence", Fundacion Pons (Madrid, Spain);

2017:

Charity event "Hearts Charity Evening", organized by YPO (Kyiv, Ukraine);
"We Contemporary 2017"...