Life is like a zebra

Vanda Orlova, Ukraine

Vanda Orlova is a Ukrainian artist, known as VANDA, included in the TOP of the best artists in the world according to the most influential international rating agency Artfacts, created the author's technique of "solarism" (from the Latin "solar" - solar), thanks to which her "living paintings" literally radiate light. This technique, inspired by sunlight, uses multi-layering of oil and acrylic paint and gilding of various forms (liquid, powder, spray). This allows the canvases to change depending on the angle of lighting, giving the viewer a feeling of living presence. In her work, Vanda explores the play of light and color, striving to convey emotional and semantic shades through the harmony of form and sunlight. Her works have already gained international recognition, participating in numerous competitions and exhibitions, and are in private collections in Ukraine (in particular, Lina Kostenko), the USA, Italy, Canada and other countries. Wanda is the author and implementer of the unique art projects "Draw Me a Poem by Lina Kostenko" and "Mosaic of the Heritage of Ukraine", which unite Ukrainian artists and revive, preserve and popularize the multifaceted cultural heritage of Ukraine. Participant of numerous international competitions, including Jackson's Art Prize 2024 (Great Britain), The Chelsea International Fine Art Competition 2024 (USA), BBA Artist Prize 2024 (Berlin, Germany) and Art Maze Mag (Great Britain). Her creative path, which began as a study of artistic expression, turned into an experiment with light, color and texture, which in 2024 led her to create her own technique. "Solarium" became a reflection of the very nature of light - from the Latin "solar", which means "solar", - and opened a new dimension in painting, in which paintings literally come to life in light rays, changing their appearance depending on the lighting. The essence of Wanda Orlova's solarism lies not only in technical techniques, but also in the deep philosophy of light as a symbol of warmth, life, and movement. Using golden potala, multi-layered strokes, and often textured elements, her canvases recreate the play of sunlight, which adds not only visual dynamics to the picture, but also metaphorical meaning. This approach allows you to create the effect of a "living painting" that interacts with the viewer in real time, changing throughout the day, as if breathing and responding to light. For Wanda, the process of developing her author's technique was a process of constant search and experimentation. She tried different materials, trying to find a way to convey the dynamism of light, which constantly changes the mood of the picture. It is this connection between the warmth of sunlight and the multi-layeredness of paints and potala that gives her canvases the ability to "come to life" in the presence of the viewer, creating a unique world where the depth of color is combined with the play of light. Wanda is currently working on a series of new paintings that she plans to present at her first solo exhibition. Until now, these works remain mysterious and we can only see parts of them in the photo. Each canvas reflects the interaction of texture and light, creating a living experience for the viewer, inviting them to immerse themselves in the moment of encounter with warmth, light and new meanings. These are not just works of art, but a way to share the feeling of hope and harmony embodied in the "living paintings" of solarism, which, according to the artist's plan, leave a warm and unforgettable mark on the soul.