Fantasia in harsh times

Tanya Olifirenko was always obsessed with flowers, but lately felt an urge to explore it through her lense. The photos she shared with us were taken starting from Spring 2023, mainly in Hryshko National Botanical Garden, Kyiv - the best place for solitude, self-reflection, and Nature exploration. She says nostalgia and national symbols are the key elements in these series. A lot of attention is paid to Malva, Sunflower, Poppies, Viburnum, Iris, that are significant for Ukrainian culture, these flowers appear a lot in any kind of art - painting, poetry, embroidery, songs. Being unable to visit the house of her grandma, as it is under Russian artillery fire almost constantly, she was seeking for things that reminded her of her childhood Summer days at her grandma's house. Living in the war requires being careful and responsible she says, it doesn't matter how old you are, it definitely makes you feel older. In these circumstances art helps to connect with an inner playful and happy self.

Photos - Tanya Olifirenko @tanya1olifirenko
Location - Hryshko National Botanical Garden, Kyiv, Ukraine