“Thinking about Home: Hollyhocks”

Lyubov Sylayeva

oil on canvas

Artist Statement

I was born in Russia to a Russian father and a Ukrainian mother, but my heart has always belonged to Ukraine. I later moved to Ukraine and lived in Kharkiv, a vibrant city just 16 miles from the Russian border. In 1998, my husband was invited to Purdue University as a researcher, and we immigrated to West Lafayette, Indiana, where we've lived ever since.
Ukraine remains very close to our hearts. The ongoing war has devastated us.
Kharkiv, my beloved city, is bombed heavily every day, and our immediate family still lives there. Our thoughts are constantly with them. I carry in my memory a bright, peaceful Ukraine, its wide-open skies, golden sunflower fields, and wild irises and poppies. These vivid images of the countryside inspire my art and are the foundation of my creative expression.
From an early age, I was deeply inspired by nature and driven to capture its beauty. I first pursued photography, but eventually felt drawn to the versatility and depth of oil painting. My creative process is spontaneous and intuitive. Flowers, with their rich colors and intricate forms, captivate me. I use bold, vibrant colors to emphasize the emotional power of my subjects. Through my work, I seek to express not only beauty, but also the fragility and resilience of life.
My hope is that Ukraine will one day be free again and that its people will live in peace in this beautiful land. Until then, I paint what I remember and what I believe in.