During a panel discussion, finalists of Ukraine's first Ms&Mrs Art Ukraine competition and members of the jury spoke about creativity as a way to make sense of one's own experience, to find inner support and to express Ukrainian identity.
The final of the competition took place on 13 September, on the second day of the Max Sir International Film Festival at the Pylypets hotel in the Carpathians. During the panel discussion, the finalists talked about what led them to art, the meanings they put into their work and how it shapes their lives.
Edemina Voitovych presented paintings about Ukraine and its memory. On her canvases she depicts the territorial map of Ukraine, historical figures and soldiers. Through these images the artist seeks to show that the country's future depends on shared effort:
"Together we are strong — like a thread, like beads that come together into one big picture."
Edemina Voitovych
Larysa Khairutdinova, Vice-Mrs Top Model of Ukraine, shared her story. After a serious leg injury she struggled with deep insecurities, which she overcame through persistent work in modelling: "I want to show every person that at any age, whatever the circumstances, a person can be creative."
Larysa spoke about her project, which brought together children of internally displaced families who had lost their sense of childhood because of the war. Some of the children had experienced bullying from their peers. Through her initiative, Larysa wanted to give them a chance to feel like real stars during photoshoot lessons.
Kateryna Kostyk from Zakarpattia began painting after the full-scale invasion. She never set out to become an artist, but over time painting became her inner anchor — a way to step back from outside problems. Since 2025 she has been taking part in exhibitions in Ukraine and abroad, and she later turned to surrealism.
At the competition Kateryna presented the work False Direction. Through its details it tells the story of a girl who reaches back towards the past and refuses to let go of what she has lived through. The artist invites viewers to ask themselves whether it is worth going back: "Or perhaps we need to allow ourselves to let go of everything and finally move forward?"
Natalia Serebrynska shared the story of her return to art after four years of working as a programmer. Despite her professional achievements, she did not feel she was in the right place, and in the end she decided to devote herself to painting: "It brings no joy when you are not there. When you don't feel you are in your place, you don't feel who you are." In her work she conveys psychological portraits of people and animals. One of her aims is to help those who cannot protect themselves — animals in particular.
Oksana Kulesh from Kyiv came to watercolour painting in 2019, fulfilling a childhood dream. Before that, as a mother, she ran her own business — a flower shop.
"Art heals. And I believe that today it heals our souls. Creativity in any form is medicine for our souls and hearts."
Oksana KuleshOksana taught herself and for a long time struggled with an inner critic that made her doubt her right to create. At first she tried to reproduce reality as precisely as possible, but over time she understood: "An artist has the right to create the way they feel." Today she creates online courses and watercolour lessons. According to Oksana, women and girls worn out by the war and everyday hardships find relief and healing in painting — they immerse themselves in the creative process and gain a small, safe space where they can feel joy: "This is the answer to the question of why art is for all of us."
Beauty, Creativity and Ukrainian Identity
Hanna, a member of the jury and owner of the Ukrainian ethnic clothing brand Vyshyte, which took part in the festival, said she was pleasantly struck by how different the finalists were — and, at the same time, by the shared determination of each of them to bring their ideas to life: "You girls are all different, but you all have one goal: I want to, I can, and I will."
"What unites all of us is that we all put something Ukrainian into our paintings, our drawings, our wishes," Hanna said. She stressed that the Ukrainian element in the participants' work shows not only through national symbols but also through personal meanings and what is close to the authors themselves. She also reminded the audience that Ukrainian culture is not only about vyshyvankas, songs and traditions, but about everything that resonates with people and is close to their hearts.
The participants also spoke about beauty as something that begins in a person's inner world and only then shows itself outwardly. "Creativity, Ukrainian identity and beauty — all of this is the outward side, and it comes through the spiritual," said jury member Yuliia Myshko during the discussion. In her view, creativity helps people express themselves, which is why Ukrainians have a rich tradition of art, literature and other creative practices.
In closing, special thanks were given to Max Sir for creating cultural projects in Ukraine, including the film festival and the Ms&Mrs Art Ukraine competition. Those present emphasised the importance of initiatives that bring together artists, finalists, organisers, journalists and guests around a shared goal — supporting Ukrainian culture even in such difficult times for the country. Max Sir, in turn, thanked everyone who took part in the event and called on them to keep uniting around cultural projects.
