Vira Yakymchuk, a contemporary figurative painter from Lviv, Ukraine, spoke to us, letting us in on her unique path in the world of art, blending classical traditions with modern sensibility. A self-taught artist, Vira’s journey is deeply influenced by her cultural heritage and personal experiences, which have profoundly shaped her creative expression. 

Vira’s work showcases her resilience, reflection, and unwavering passion for storytelling through art. In this interview, she shares insights into her creative process, the impact of her cultural background and life difficulties, and the ways in which her work reflects social and political themes.

✧ ✧ ✧

How has your upbringing and cultural background influenced your artistic journey and creative expression?

I always say that my art was born in Istanbul, Turkey, but with a Ukrainian soul. My artistic talent is not limited to culture. But sometimes without realising it, the impact of culture on creativity is typically manifested. Creativity embraces both novelty and usefulness. These concepts correspond to two critical processes of creativity; the generative process of acquiring and accessing information and knowledge, and recombining them to produce new ideas and the exploratory process of searching one’s knowledge for novel and potentially useful combinations of ideas and judging the viability of potential solutions. 

At what point in your life did you firmly decide to pursue art, and what were the pivotal factors in making that decision?

As a child, I often went to church with my grandmother, but I did not hear or see anything except the walls painted with Bible stories. Since that time, I dreamed of being an artist, an icon painter. I graduated from an art college with the profession of an artist — a florist, then studied traditional painting techniques at a Ukrainian University in the faculty of iconography, where after a year of study I realised that I lacked real painting. After a year of vain search for oneself in painting, I met and did a lot of work in the studio of the Turkish artist Fatih Gurbuz, who showed me another world of art, the world of contemporary figurative paintings. It was this world of art that changed my life and made me who I am now.

Explain the allure of art in your life. Why art, among all other mediums of expression? 

Art is an expression of our thoughts, emotions, intuition, and desires, but it is even more personal than that: it's about sharing the way we experience the world, which for many of us is an extension of personality. It is the communication of intimate concepts that cannot be faithfully portrayed by words alone. To me, the power of art is infinite. Since the beginning of time, our ancestors have used art as a medium of communication and expression. And even centuries later, it is this art that we use to understand and analyse where we came from and who we are. There is no stiff definition of art; the meaning of art keeps shifting to fit its time. Art is different for different people. 

Have you ever considered stopping creating art? If so, what might lead you to that decision?

I could never imagine myself without art. Because my life is art, and art is a part of me. And so, I am an artist-florist by profession, also an icon painter, and a tattoo artist... all this is connected in my art, even if I do not work in other professions.

In what ways does your artwork reflect or comment on current social, political, or environmental issues? Can you give specific examples from your works?

We are living in a hard time - a period of materialism, war, capitalism, momentary pleasures and extreme individualism. It is an era in which the outrageous becomes "the new normal" and our capacity to get shocked by the tragic events becomes muted. Crisis prevails, new problems arise and a careless policy syncs into a society inured to the ruthless, immoral behaviour which we are experiencing and reading every single day about. A global epidemic has taken hold of our society: the indifference to suffering and our need for others. Compelled by this reality, I created art that questions these problems and reflects on our lack of social awareness and compassionate action.

 

I think and feel that the people's soul and sensibilities of prettiness, purity and harmony of a millennia-old vision spring to nature. Nature that awakens our souls to the vast inner freedom, allows us to give up time and space. It is a powerful source of knowledge, which through communication reveals its secrets to a person and makes it more sensitive to the world around him/her.  

Could you walk us through the steps of your artistic process, starting from the initial idea to the finished piece? How do you develop your concepts, and what are the key stages in creating your final work?

Starting a new painting is always somehow exciting. I begin with ideas expressed as thumbnail sketches. Then I create an acrylic background before I move into oil paint. Over the years, I have done 100% of my work in oil. Around the start of the Ukraine invasion, 2 years ago, I changed the colour direction in my paintings. Maybe there is even a theme deep back in my more unconscious brain. I work on the painting process from several days to several weeks. In each work, ideas about the relationship between people and animals are surrounded by nature.

What are your primary sources of inspiration? Do these come from personal experiences, observations, history, nature, or other artists? Can you give specific examples of how these inspirations have manifested in your work?

Life in another country inspires me, artists, nature, a movie, a story, a person, a situation. Inspiration was and is everywhere, with stories waiting to be told. And the more I painted, the more I learned. The more I am able to look at other artists' work and decipher what they were doing and their thought processes behind what they were doing. Every tiny change in my life shaped me to become who I am today and informed my inspiration and art views. 

What superpower would you choose that aligns with your artistic endeavours and why?

I always joke with my friends, that if I had a superpower, I would choose speed and time to create pictures quickly. Because of my saturation of imagination and ideas for future art, there is not enough time for me.

In what ways do you find art to be therapeutic, either for you as the creator or for your audience?


Art, in all its forms, allows a person to express things that, in reality, are typically inexpressible. It allows us to get in touch with a part of ourselves we might not otherwise be ready or willing to acknowledge. By using art as a means of expression, individuals can find completion and healing through each creation – whether you’re the artist or the audience.

Name five things for which you are most grateful in your artistic career. 

✧ I have my own art world.

✧ The best thing is I got inspiration from anything.

✧ Art teaches me how to tell a great story.

✧ I am thankful for art; its joy and beauty.

✧ In times of grief, art makes me feel less alone.

What are your long-term goals and aspirations as a professional artist? 

Because of the war in my country, I had no wishes or dreams for the future. I only worked and enjoyed the process of painting, even in such moments when rockets and drones flew over the houses. We learned to live for today. Only a few months ago, I finally felt and began to dream... For me, good career goals as an artist are expanding my professional network and seeking collaborative opportunities. Building relationships with other artists, galleries, and patrons is essential for growth and exposure.

What superpower would you choose that aligns with your artistic endeavours and why?

I always joke with my friends, that if I had a superpower, I would choose speed and time to create pictures quickly. Because of my saturation of imagination and ideas for future art, there is not enough time for me.

✦ ✦ ✦

As our conversation with Vira Yakymchuk comes to an end, we can see how she aims to create a dialogue with the world around her through her art. Vira invites us to explore how nature, human emotion, and social consciousness co-exist, offering a perspective that is both introspective and universally relevant.

Her dedication, even amidst the challenges of war and uncertainty, brings to the forefront the incredible power of art to heal, inspire, and provoke thought and action. Continue to be inspired by Vira and her enduring spirit of creativity and follow her journey as she evolves and attempts to inspire the global art scene!