Resilience | Olena Mosiyevych

“The Russian aggression of Ukraine brought me to Nebraska.  War has cancelled my exhibitions and my paintings in museums have been lost. Meanwhile, my parents remain in Ukraine, my siblings are dispersed, my children have become bilingual, and America is my home. As an immigrant facing hardship, I’ve sought the Midwestern landscape as inspiration for my paintings. Trees symbolize stability and protection. My tender roots are now feeling their way through a new homeland. I search for continuity of my Ukrainian past and American present with hopes for the future.

The roots of my artistic vision lie deep within Ukrainian culture, from the fantastical pure colors of Petrykivka folk painting to the non-figurative art of Kasimir Malevich (1879-1935). Plasticity of line and color vibration dominate my work. Shimmering symbolism of Byzantine mosaics and life-affirming ideas of Ukrainian avant-garde inspire the symbolic quality in my paintings. In this fusion of cultures and artistic influences, my paintings become a testament to resilience and the support that transcends borders and adversities. The world is now witnessing a genocidal attempt to destroy Ukrainian culture and identity. In response, I seek not only to preserve the essence of my native heritage but also to contribute to the cultural mosaic of my newfound American home, fostering hope and unity for the chapters yet to unfold.”

Four Series within ‘Resilience:’

     1. Series “Resilience”

Resilience is a series of paintings that explores and celebrate the strength, identity, and persistence required by immigrants, and especially women. With this series, I hope to inspire positive change, promote understanding, and encourage a deeper appreciation for the sources of strength that come with embracing a new home and cultural identity.

     2. Series “War”

War is a shock that facilitates self-discovery through suffering. By revealing hidden weaknesses, hidden strengths arise. Therefore this series focuses not only on the pain of the present, but also hope for the future – and documents that process. Within this framework, I seek to record my reflections as an artist who was forced to leave Ukraine, but remains inextricably linked with the ordeal of my country through a shared artery of pain.

     3. Series “Rooting”

This series presents trees as a symbol of stability, protection, and rooting within my new homeland. I explore how Ukrainian sensibility interacts with the American landscape. 

     4. “The Age of Melancholy” Series

Immersion in an existential journey in search of meaning and self-identity among countless immeasurable and elusive horizons.

Opening Reception: March 8th, 2024 from 5-8 pm. Artist talk at 6:30 pm.

Listen to Mosiyevych’s artist talk: https://youtu.be/HosohGPjX3E?si=Yx48Rf156RNcBK9w

1011 News Interview: https://www.1011now.com/2024/03/09/ukrainian-artist-shares-war-torn-work-lincoln/

Nebraska Public Media ‘Friday Live’ Podcast: https://bit.ly/3vdRxSm