The series “Flowering phases” took part in the first Blanc de Chine competition in 2017 and received an encouragement award. Since then, much has happened — including things terrible and irreparable. War has broken out in Ukraine. However, my series, like my country, continues to evolve under conditions incompatible with life. My work “Family” is a mirror reflecting the people of my country at this moment. Some of its objects have been lost, some destroyed, and some — even stolen. However even in this state it remains beautiful - because it reflects the true face of our time. After all the truth is perfect even if it brings pain. In my current situation, without a studio or permanent place of residence, I have no possibility to create a full-fledged collection and preserve it, as I am constantly on the move with all my belongings in hand. I constantly recreate what was lost so as not to lose everything completely. At the same time, I realize that I am lucky and not in the worst position. My portrait is not adorned with a black ribbon. When war enters a family, death becomes its adopted member. However with it also comes bitter memory that reminds us of lost harmony. This unfathomable reality stays with you forever, changing you from the inside, literally rewriting the code of your DNA. In recent years, I have been trying to find a form of expression that corresponds to my inner question: how can we stop this? How can art influence the course of fatal events? How do we go on living and creating beauty when we bless murders with silence? In such a case, can we still call our creation beautiful? I know there are no answers to these questions. Reality transforms faster than we can formulate even the simplest response — especially while in a state of free fall. However, I also know that it is we, and only we, who are active participants in what is happening and capable of influencing its course and outcome. The responsibility for this lies with us — or with our children.