Whispers of Ancestry

Tetiana Pchelnykova, Ukraine

I’m Tetiana Pchelnykova, a Ukrainian artist based in Kyiv. I acknowledge the importance of discussing the role of women in society amidst the polarity of opinions. Knowing our past is crucial to building our future. I work with the image of a woman who embodies the strength of her lineage. A woman creates the strength of the family and the future generations. As an artist, I explore the role of women as the bearers of knowledge, essential for building a happy society through living their experiences and intuitive understanding of ancestral wisdom. How can the intuitive knowledge of women help build healthy relationships? Can a strong family, shaped by a woman, influence the overall climate in society? In my search for answers, I engage in a dialogue with the bodily-sensory lexicon of Ana Mendieta, Miriam Schapiro, and also find support in the symbols and ornaments of the Scythians and ancient Kievan Rus. I use traditional oil and acrylic paints to create multi-layered visual narratives that resonate with the symbols and ornamentation of historical cultures. My works are filled with color, ethnic decor, and are illustrative at the same time.I paint figuratively and I like to mix the naivistic with the realistic. Regardless of what Im painting, it's always an atmosphere that is depicted. My personal motivation is to convey the stages of a woman's experience, revealing through painting my own meanings and search for wholeness. The message of my painting is that the woman creates the strength of the family as a conductor of the noble power of previous generations. My work participates in the discourse on the role of women in society. I embed in my works and characters the dynamics of oscillation between adhering to ancestral traditions, adapting in modern society, and the pursuit of an untamed primal force. I plan to continue exploring the theme of female self-identification and the connection with lineage and to consider which aspect of the discussion can be developed by society and what role my research will play in this dialogue. My works reflect my inner world, my interests, and also the result of my experiments with form and material. I believe that every image I create carries its unique story and meaning, which can be interpreted differently by everyone who sees it. Art for me is a way of communicating with the world, a means to express my thoughts and feelings, and a way to find answers to the questions that concern me. I believe that art can change the world for the better, and I strive to be a part of this process. I aspire for my works to be perceived not just as aesthetic objects, but also as a means for reflection, self-discovery, and interaction with the world. My paintings can be found in private collections in the USA, Japan, Belgium, the UK, Germany, and Austria.