Oleksandra (ZANDRA) Motovylets

The psycho-emotional background is sensitive to changes, but our feelings do not freeze. Let the pace of life outside the window pause, but no one can quarantine our emotions. Joy, fear, indifference, anxiety, indignation, confusion, deep feelings of anxiety, interest, growing tension, apathy: in this chain of reactions, each has its points and its sequence. The threads are at the same timelines of demarcation, faces of safe distance. But they are also symbols of all thoughts, reactions, judgments, and emotions at the intersection and interaction of which a multilayered image formed, a kind of ‘I’.

Therefore, individual isolation is a chance to see and analyze oneself outside one’s usual environment, to rethink, to look deeper, to get rid of the crowd in one’s head, and to find balance. We cannot control the presence and course of all events, but we can listen to ourselves because the formation of our psychological immunity depends primarily on us.

The covid-19 pandemic had two aspects for me. From one side, being in lockdown because of the coronavirus was frightening and frustrating. It made me feel vulnerable and a little bit powerless. I had to spend most of my time at home, following distance working and creating orders. I saw my parents and sister only five times last year, despite they live not far from me. And, as my father is a doctor, the anxiety doubled. No travel, no friends’ time, social distance, strict rules, and uncertainty created a new reality for all. But from the other side, in the uncertain times of the crisis, where all the familiar things have acquired a new reading, it also gave a unique opportunity for artists to share their ideas and opinions about the COVID-19 crisis, about their emotional condition, their vision of the world and the future.

So, at first, I created string art pieces to feel relaxed, but then the period of quarantine made me think about the restrictions we face every day, external and internal, about emotions, and how other people react to the pandemic. It woke up the new ideas and feelings in me. I can say that this year was copious and rich in new artworks. I believe that, however, despite facing challenging life circumstances, we all need to find the strength to inspire others, spreading hope, support, and love around.