Olya Tkachenko
Contemporary Folklore & Monumental Heritage Art
Public Art & Installations
My public practice focuses on the intersection of architectural space and cultural memory. By scaling traditional Ukrainian folklore techniques—such as Vytynanka and decorative sculpture—into large-format installations, I aim to transform civic environments into sites of storytelling. Each project is a site-specific exploration of heritage, designed to engage the community and honor the resilience of our collective identity.
Vytynanka Installation "Ukrainian Heritage in Ontario"
City Hall, Mississauga, 2025
This series of six large-scale Vytynankas was designed to activate the civic space of City Hall for the first Ukrainian Heritage Month in Ontario. By scaling traditional paper-cutting to an architectural level, the installation transformed a modern government building into a site of cultural celebration.
Leleka
Nuit Blanche Toronto
Richmond 401, Toronto, 2024
Commissioned for Nuit Blanche Toronto, Leleka is a large-scale papier-mâché sculpture of a migrant bird, serving as a powerful messenger for the displaced. The bird's body is intricately covered with ancient Ukrainian symbols—a visual code representing protection, history, and the journey toward a new home.
Designed as a multi-sensory experience, the installation utilizes music and light to create an immersive environment for the modern migrant. By bringing these traditional motifs into a contemporary public festival, Leleka invites the audience to decode its messages of resilience and find their own story within its form. This work represents the intersection of folklore and the contemporary immigrant narrative, speaking to the universal hope of finding sanctuary.
"Tree of Life" Installation
Creativehub 1352, Toronto, 2024
This large-scale papier-mâché and mixed-media installation explores the Tree of Life through a fusion of Early Christian interpretation and Ukrainian folk tradition. In this vision, the Tree is not merely a decorative motif, but a sacred pillar of spiritual growth. By hand-sculpting this ancient symbol, I aim to bridge the gap between historic religious iconography and the living traditions of Ukrainian heritage. The work functions as a three-dimensional archive, where every branch reflects the intersection of faith, history, and the enduring resilience of the cultural spirit.
"Tree of Life"
Hot Batik Tryptich
Toronto, 2024
Commissioned by the "Kazka Entertainment" company for the Toronto performance of acclaimed bandurist Maryna Krut, this installation utilizes three monumental batik panels to create a contemporary sacred space. The central theme, the Tree of Life, was reimagined to echo the intricate, layered sound of the bandura. By integrating traditional textile techniques with modern scenography, the work functions as a 'visual instrument,' vibrating with the music and lighting to deepen the audience's immersion in Ukrainian cultural identity.
Metal Screen Art
Hand-cut paper on a textile base, 2018
This project explores the architectural potential of Vytynanka, transforming the traditional paper-cut into a wearable 3D sculpture. Created as a conceptual fashion piece, the dress features intricate lace-like patterns inspired by ancient embroidery motifs. While the original ephemeral work was destroyed, it remains a vital study in the translation of folk heritage into modern avant-garde design.
Photo Credit: Anna Oleksiievych
Metal Screen Art
Saskatoon, 2016-2020
This series explores the translation of Vytynanka (traditional paper-cutting) into the industrial medium of laser-cut steel. By moving from the fragility of paper to the durability of metal, the project addresses the permanence of cultural identity in the urban landscape. These site-specific screens act as architectural lace, filtering light and casting traditional shadows that bridge the gap between interior design and folk history. This work demonstrates the scalability of traditional craft into modern public and private infrastructure.
