"Childhood" Painting

Darina Smolkina, a Ukrainian artist, was born in 1996 in Ukraine and has been based in the capital city of Kyiv. She completed her studies at the Lifar Art School in Kyiv in 2012 and pursued further education at the College of Kiev National University of Technology and Design until 2016. At the age of 19, after concluding her education, Darina swiftly relocated to Lisbon, Portugal, encountering the challenges of immigration. One of her early works, "Man with a Smoking Pipe," exemplifies a melancholic style reminiscent of scenes from films by Wes Anderson or Stanley Kubrick, showcasing elements that anticipate her current artistic approach. Her deliberate use of symmetry within a vintage and, possibly, aristocratic stylistic context is prominently visible. The characters portrayed in Darina's paintings navigate various psychological challenges imposed upon them by society or self-imposed. Society, with its boundaries, norms, and rules, stands as a prevalent theme in her artwork. Occasionally, her paintings evoke the atmosphere of a theatrical performance, capturing the essence of actors in a single frame. Another noteworthy theme in Darina's art is the portrayal of colorful moons and eyes, unveiling the delicate boundary between reality and imagination while hinting at an observing presence from a distance. Her works have already found their place in private collections across the United States, Latin America, and Europe. Having spent the past 7 years away from her homeland since emigrating, Darina Smolkina has primarily resided in Lisbon. Currently, she works and resides in Palermo, where her artistic journey continues to evolve, captivating audiences worldwide.