Mariya Kotyujinskaya

Childhood is the foundation of our identity, the source of pure emotions and boundless imagination. My art is a journey into that space where reality intertwines with sensations, memories, and dreams. I seek not just to depict childhood as a cute or carefree period but to reveal it as a deep philosophy—a place where our identity is shaped, where our first fears, first joys, and first dreams take root. Since early childhood, I have felt the need to create. I started drawing at the age of four—it was not just a hobby but my way of interacting with the world. I never studied in academies; instead, I followed intuition and self-exploration. I always knew that art was my true calling. I never betrayed my dream, though the path to realizing it was long. When the war in Ukraine began, it became a moment of deep reflection for me. As the world around me was falling apart, I found myself with time—time for inner work, for returning to my essence, for finally bringing to life what had always lived inside me. That is how this concept was born—a journey to reconnect with the bold and creative inner child that we all carry within us. My paintings are mirrors, allowing each person to glimpse their own childhood. I want people, when looking at my work, to remember themselves—their joys, fears, and dreams. Childhood unites us all: regardless of culture, language, or geography. Whether in Tokyo, New York, Kyiv, or Lisbon—everyone feels the same when they return to their memories. As Picasso once said, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” I want to remind people that this inner artist is still within them. My art serves as a bridge between the past and the present, between nostalgia and self-discovery.

2023 Сontest Golden Art Talent 46 Season London UK 2023 Collective Exhibition Of Ukrainian Artists In Kyiv Ukraine 2023 Collective Exhibition "Artistic Kaleidoscope" Of Ukrainian Artists In The Central House Of Artists. Kyiv Ukraine 2023 Collective Exhibition Of Ukrainian Artists In Kyiv Kyiv, Украина

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