Daria Oskolkova is a Ukrainian artist, a writer and now a painter. Her connection with art became tangible in the summer of 2016 when she visited the studio of Vladimir Shaposhnikov and Anna Ielizarova. “Two artists, a master and his student, worked on vast canvases opposite each other. The powerful impression I received from this single visit gave me the inspiration I carry in my heart to this day.  It took me a while to notice that a common thread ran through my spiritual search, writing endeavours, and even my academic pursuits: the ineffable concept of non-duality.”

“‘There is nothing that can stop me from painting tomorrow,’ I thought putting down the brush. It was the 23rd of February 2022. The next day, I was woken up by the sounds of artillery in a completely changed world. Life took over … I hope that the Landscapes & Horizons residency will reignite my creative spirit — two years after it has been brought to a halt by war.” 

Landscapes & Horizons is a new fully funded group residency for five Scotland-based artists and cultural practitioners, open to people aged over 40, from refugee and other migrant backgrounds. Hosted by Cove Park in collaboration with Luminate, Scotland’s creative ageing organisation, and Cross Borders at Scottish Refugee Council.

Image provided by the artist.