“For the three frontal display walls of our booth, I created a series of experimental decorating installations that explore and express my heritage - an essential element of my individuality.

As a Ukrainian Canadian responding to the ongoing war in my birthplace, it felt right to turn inward and become my own client for this show.

I turned for inspiration to traditional Ukrainian embroidery with its vibrant colours, intricate motifs and a surprisingly contemporary look of the common weaving methods.

The central diptych - two shaped panels - set in shallow relief against a diagonal checkered hand-painted pattern represents flowers on a traditional embroidered cloth called rushnyk.

For the flanking displays, I chose the two letters of the Ukrainian alphabet - ï & Ґ - as symbols of the uniqueness of Ukrainian identity in relation to other Cyrillic-based languages and Slavic nations. Letter ï is also in the name of Ukraine - “Украïна” - and in the name of its capital Kyiv - “Киïв”.

Both shapes were rendered in wood as minimal contemporary wall sculptures.