In celebration of my 30th birthday on December 30, I opened the first solo exhibition at the Ukrainian space Bilous Gallery, in Vienna, Austria. The vernissage took place on December 30, 2024, at 6:00 PM, at Ramperstorffergasse 2, 1050 Vienna, Austria.
Concept note
This solo exhibition of contemporary visual artist Natali Tomenko presents a deeply personal exploration of her artistic evolution over the past decade. The collection spans various stages of her life, reflecting a significant transformation that the artist defines as "before" and "after."
The "before" phase captures Natali’s formative years, characterized by traditional and balanced works. This period, spanning 2014–2018, showcases her mastery of linocut—a technique imparted by her mentor, Anatoliy Diachenko. A revered artist and member of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine, Diachenko's influence was profound, not only in improving Natali's artistic skills but also in shaping her identity. As a proud Ukrainian, he played a pivotal role in strengthening Natali’s connection to her Roma heritage. Later on in 2018, Natali's journey took her abroad to Budapest, where she pursued further studies and began experimenting with diverse mediums, including digital art.
The "after" phase, beginning in 2022, emerged in response to a transformative historical event: the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by russia and her personal emigration to Vienna. This period saw Natali turning to abstract art as a medium for processing the collective and personal traumas of war. Her works delve into socially relevant themes, examining how modern generations confront war-induced trauma. As a Roma woman from Ukraine, Natali's unique perspective enriches the public discourse, adding depth and nuance to conversations about identity, resilience, and the human cost of conflict.
"The intense trauma I experienced during the war disconnected my body and soul. I see what is happening nowadays and recall the harrowing moments in Ukraine when I hid in basements, evacuated my family abroad, and endured multiple terror attacks in my hometown of Kremenchuk. Since the war began, I have carried a flood of emotions that words cannot fully express. For me, art has become the ideal medium—
a form of communication and therapy that helps me process and cope with these
post-traumatic experiences."
All the artworks are available for purchase online through the Artsper platform. 10% of all sales will be donated to the Ukrainian Defence Forces, specifically to the battalion in where Natali's uncle, Mykola Almazov, is currently serving on the front line.
