Liza Zhdanova’s (b. in 1994, Ukraine) work goes beyond simple beauty to explore profound questions about life, resilience, and conflict. She studied at the Lviv National Academy of Arts from 2012 to 2019, specializing in monumental painting, a discipline that requires meticulous detail and a powerful sense of scale. This training gave her the foundation to develop a unique voice as an artist that resonates deeply with audiences.
Now residing in Kyiv, Liza has gained recognition for her striking “Flowers” series. In these paintings, she uses the delicate beauty of flowers set against dark, unsettling backdrops to depict the contrast between life’s fragility and its endurance, especially in times of turmoil. The blooms represent hope and growth, yet they are surrounded by shadows that hint at the darkness of war and suffering. Her art combines elements that might seem at odds—softness and strength, beauty and destruction—to tell a powerful story of survival.
Zhdanova’s technique includes the use of dripping paint, an effect that adds a haunting layer to her work. The drips create a sense of time passing and of something slipping away, almost like memories fading or tears falling. This effect allows viewers to feel the weight of loss and transformation brought on by conflict but also leaves room for reflection and healing. It’s a visual reminder that time moves forward, as does the strength of the human spirit.
Her paintings offer more than just visual impact; they evoke a visceral reaction, pulling the viewer into an emotional experience. Her work encourages viewers to confront the reality of suffering while still finding traces of hope. The flowers she paints persist in their beauty, even as they stand in the shadow of dark forces, showing that life, while fragile, can be remarkably resilient. This duality invites us to reflect on the coexistence of light and dark, beauty and pain—a particularly relevant theme today.
Zhdanova’s art is not only a personal expression but a statement about the endurance of the human spirit in difficult times. She communicates a silent yet powerful message of hope and resilience through her works. Her paintings go beyond what is visible on the canvas. They reach into the viewer’s soul, reminding us that even in the face of hardship, there are signs of life and beauty to be found. In this way, Zhdanova’s art resonates with audiences on a universal level, offering a testament to our shared humanity and the power of beauty as a form of resistance against despair. Her work serves as a reminder that, despite life’s challenges, there are always traces of color, growth, and renewal to be discovered.