Ukraine artist launches first solo exhibition in Civic Centre
‘Maria’s Bloom’, a solo art exhibition by Mariia Holdysh, has opened to the public in the Atrium Space at the Civic Centre, Athlone.
The Ukraine born visual artist, whose works will exhibit until February 28, has been based in Athlone since 2022 and has maintained her passion for art since her relocation.
She went through years of different art training, firstly at Kryvyi Rih Art School (2011-2018) and then at Kharkiv State Academy of Design and Arts Mariia from where she graduated with a BA degree in Graphic Design (2018-2022). After relocating to Ireland due to war in Ukraine in 2022 Mariia started working as an interpreter but quickly realised that her passion for art is something that must be persuaded without any further hesitation. Mariia is using the art nickname Mutabor that originates from Wilhelm Hauff’s tale “Caliph Stork.”
Her practice centres on floral themed drawings and prints depicting whimsical compositions of bright coloured flowers and spirits of gentle females who are embodying the very essence of nature that surrounds us. In her coloured graphic drawings, the artist is trying to research the concept of femininity and its closed relation to nature seeking to find a true balance of human life and floral nature outdoors. Her linoprint series “In Between” inspired by her own experience with immigration depicting various flowers with their roots out representing the feeling of being hanged in between her homeland and the new place, still alive and waiting to thrive but not quite settled, recovered and ready to put down roots.
The biggest art inspiration for Mariia is artworks of Gustav Klimt, impressionistic pieces of Claude Monet and various graphic works of USSR artists.
Mariia works in various materials creating her pieces in unique mixed media technique, colour pencils, colour pens, acrylic markers and regular markers all being used in the creative process.
All of it helps artists to depict bright colour rich drawings while maintaining a high level of digitalization and ornamental work.
“I celebrate life itself in my drawings. They are something that helps me to bounce back no matter how hard and unfair the reality is. Something that reminds me that there is always going to be something worth fighting for," Mariia said.
Mariia has dedicated her first solo exhibition to her grandmother Lubov Smorodska who recently passed away.
The exhibition will remain open to the public until February 28 at the Athlone Atrium, Athlone Library.