Shades of Life: Art exhibition by Ukrainian artist Polina at Rua Red

Polina Kozka will celebrate the launch of her new exhibition ‘Shades of Life’ on July 20 at 6 pm at Gallery X. The exhibition will run until July 26 and features abstract interior paintings made primarily with acrylic, by Steven Reid.

After leaving war-torn Ukraine earlier this year, Polina encountered Maoliosa Boyle while volunteering at the Double Take studio in Rua Red and quickly developed a friendship and support system, with Maoliosa extending the space at Rua Red for Polina to display her work.

Art has been a significant part of Polina’s life for as long as she can remember. “I’ve always been drawing, painting, or doing handmade [work], but painting wasn’t my main activity. I was engaged in gold embroidery in a monastery for several years after school, and was also engaged in design and decoration of interiors,” she said.

She has impressively only been painting for two years despite a background in various other forms of art.

When asked about her inspiration and vision for her art, Polina said: “The main thing that inspires me is the emotions that awaken in us when we see different combinations of colours and textures, light and shadows.

Everybody has intellectual and emotional sides of perception, and when I create my artworks, I turn to the emotional part of human perception.

“The main goal is to create inspiring atmosphere, background, sensation, and to give space for imagination. Abstract art is one of the best ways for this.

And of course, I believe that everything that surrounds us creates our life, the space in which we live has to be inspiring, and fill you with energy. Art with its own color, texture, forms, light, and shadows have that power,” she continued.

Her background and various tribulations have undoubtedly shaped her art in a meaningful way.

Despite living in a hotel now in Dublin and caring for her children, one of whom has special needs, Polina has been devout in making time and space for her to create.

This exhibition is a testament to not only her skills, but to her strength and unrelenting commitment to expression through all of life’s difficulties.

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