Darya Nakvakina

For over a decade, I worked in commercial photography, yet I was always drawn to what lies beyond the visible world. I searched for hidden magic in people, landscapes, and objects — the unseen layers beneath the surface. Over time, my perception evolved: I stopped seeing physical forms and began sensing their inner energy.
In 2020, I shifted fully into abstract painting. Guided by spiritual practices and meditation, I began to explore the invisible realms through color, form, and motion. My work in abstract expressionism captures the energy of the present moment — beyond time and space — translating vibration into visual form.
The war in Ukraine became a profound turning point for me. Through this crisis, I experienced a deep catharsis. I came to understand that only high-frequency states — joy, peace, harmony — can truly transform our inner and outer worlds. I now consciously channel this energy into my paintings.
A special part of my practice involves working with gauze and bandages. By wrapping and layering these materials onto my canvases, I explore the process of healing, growth, and the personal metamorphosis that follows pain. Like a broken tree branch finding a new direction, my artworks embody the shift of energy and the t...

Solo Exhibitions:
2024 — Road to the Sea, O. Bilyi Museum of Fine Arts, Chornomorsk, Ukraine
2023 — The House of Sun and Moon, Nesterenko Gallery, Odesa, Ukraine
2021 — Intervention, O. Bilyi Museum of Fine Arts, Chornomorsk, Ukraine

Group Exhibitions:
2022 — Stand with Ukraine, One Art Space Gallery, New York, USA
2021 — Sacrifice, Milan, Italy