Ukrainian artist promotes her country through art

Mariia Chernozhukova poses next to her painting “Kiss of Victory” during “Slava Ukraine” exhibition at 4Log Gallery in eastern Seoul, April 11. Courtesy of Mariia Chernozhukova

By Kwon Mee-yoo

Mariia Chernozhukova, a Ukrainian artist and model in Korea, recently took part in a charity exhibition called "Slava Ukraine" because she wanted to do something for her homeland even though she currently lives far away from it.

"Painting is something I can do and I wanted to showcase Ukrainian culture to Koreans so they can take more interest in Ukraine," Chernozhukova said during a phone interview with The Korea Times, April 27.

She has been living in Korea for six years now and speaks Korean fluently, but her affection for Ukraine grew even deeper because her home country is at war.

"When I first came to Korea, I tried to incorporate Korean elements in my work, interpreted through my Ukrainian perspective. However, after the war broke out, I wanted to promote my country more. Most Koreans only knew of Ukraine as a country of Chernobyl and where there are 'beautiful women plowing fields.' Ukraine is a beautiful country and it deserves more attention," she said.

In 2014, Chernozhukova was living in the eastern Ukrainian city of Luhansk, where Russia invaded to support pro-Kremlin separatists in the region. She experienced the dark times of war and voices objection against any kind of violence.

"I lived in Luhansk when Russia invaded the city in 2014. I lived in downtown Luhansk and the first bomb exploded near my house. It was very early in the morning. I was living with my sister and heard loud bangs around 4 to 5 a.m., followed by helicopter sounds," she said.

"There were rumors of Russia bombing the city, but we didn't believe them because we thought such things were done only in history. However, my friend's aunt died in the first bombed building. We thought it would be a one-off, but the bombing continued and the situation got worse."

The Russian invasion didn't stop after a month and Chernozhukova decided to leave the city. She couldn't reunite with her parents in another city because it was too dangerous, so she decided to go to Russia with her friend who had relatives in there. While in Russia, Chernozhukova continued to pursue her dream and applied for the Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP).

She won the scholarship and came to Korea to earn her master's degree at Hongik University.

"I wanted to capture Korea from an outsider's perspective. I learned traditional Korean painting, Korean dance and even 'gayageum' (Korean zither). I visit palaces in hanbok and take inspirations from Korea. That's why my works look very Korean at first, but when you closely examine them, they have exotic elements as well," she said.

“Angel” by Mariia Chernozhukova / Courtesy of Mariia Chernozhukova

For the exhibition, Chernozhukova created two new artworks. In the "Kiss of Victory," a woman wearing a traditional Ukrainian costume is kissing an anthropomorphized Doberman pinscher. Chernozhukova said the woman in the painting is herself but symbolizes Ukraine.

"I have a special memory of Dobermans as my family raised one when I was young. Burglars broke into my house when my parents were away, but the Doberman saved me. As a child, the Doberman looked like a superhero to me, who is taller than I am and can protect my house and me. That's why I painted a Doberman representing those who are protecting Ukraine," she explained.

Another painting, "Jug of Tears," also features a Doberman holding a jug full of tears.

"This female Dobermann symbolizes the mothers of Ukraine. Many women were killed and assaulted during the war and I wanted to create art for the women, especially mothers, of Ukraine, imagining pouring out tears from the jug after winning the war," she said.

Chernozhukova will take part in another charity exhibition in May, where she will reveal her latest artwork inspired by victims of the Russian invasion.

Titled "Angel," the painting features a girl against a backdrop reminiscent of the blue and yellow Ukrainian flag.

"Many children were raped and killed during the war and I saw a picture of a family killed while fleeing from Kyiv. I was heartbroken by the tragedy as the girl would have lived happily with her family and friends if not for the war. I dedicate this painting to those who were sacrificed by the war," she said.

As the Russia-Ukraine war continues, interest in the issue in Korea seems to be waning, she said. Chernozhukova asked Koreans to continue to pay attention to the situation.

"Koreans have gone through a similar situation in the past, so they would know how we feel. Ukraine is at war now, but it could be another country the next time. There should be no war anywhere," she said poignantly.