This exhibition presents sketches from Olga Stein’s art project created together with VELYCHKO.GALLERY, in CARV residency during full-scale russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. 

Release

Exhibition “I Solar System” consists of 1 collage and 12 sketches focusing on artist’s feelings of survivor’s guilt, traumatization, sense of injustice, and fear that were realized and comprehended only in the safe environment. 

The idea of the project began with an acknowledgement of the fixation of traumatization, which artist could only realize in a safe environment of Cypriot art residency. During her daily life in the Cyprus, which included visits to the beach, pool, and locker rooms, as well as observing her fellow artists, Stein noticed that every time she looked at a naked body it reminded her the photos from the scenes of the Russian Federation’s crimes against Ukraine in Irpin and Bucha – photos of violence against women. 

Although made in a peaceful context, this works are reminiscent of a dying person since they were created with the help of artist’s internal optics, showing what the trauma of internal vision looks like.

Olga Stein’s powerful and evoking imagery encourage viewers to engage in an inner dialogue with God about rethinking traditional norms and values, ethics, and morality.

Installation views