STATEMENT
Love of my ancestral homeland and horror and disbelief of the brutal invasion of Ukraine compelled me to paint images of Babushkas. This iconic symbol of a culture stirs memories of my mother, who in her later years wore one most every day.
The images plead to have peace and freedom in their beloved country. A beleaguered nation that has endured a traumatic history, but one which, since 1992, has embraced democracy and independence.
I am filled with pride at being Ukrainian. I am thankful to my immigrant refugee parents, who in the Philadelphia diaspora, continued the language and traditions. I am reliving their stories as I listen and watch the dreadful devastation of an unsuspecting country.
Love of my ancestral homeland and horror and disbelief of the brutal invasion of Ukraine compelled me to paint images of Babushkas. This iconic symbol of a culture stirs memories of my mother, who in her later years wore one most every day.
The images plead to have peace and freedom in their beloved country. A beleaguered nation that has endured a traumatic history, but one which, since 1992, has embraced democracy and independence.
I am filled with pride at being Ukrainian. I am thankful to my immigrant refugee parents, who in the Philadelphia diaspora, continued the language and traditions. I am reliving their stories as I listen and watch the dreadful devastation of an unsuspecting country.