We got the chance to speak with two Ukrainian photographers, Diana Fedoriaka and Nikita Tyschenko, about their work and the impact of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine on their art. Despite the challenges, these artists continue to create and innovate, sharing their unique perspectives with the world.

As the conflict in Ukraine continues, artists like Diana and Nikita are using their creativity to convey the emotional impact of the war. Diana abstract Polaroid series and video art project “Growing Anxiety” explore the mental toll of living in constant danger, while Nikita has adapted his photography to capture the emotions of isolation and confinement.

 The war has also brought the Ukrainian art community together in solidarity and advocacy for their culture and needs. We urge everyone to support the Ukrainian community by attending demonstrations and showing solidarity during this time of turmoil.

Consider donating directly to these artists through PayPal.

Photographers: Diana Fedoriaka (Paypal, Website) , Nikita Tyschenko (Paypal, Website)

Models: Alina Degtyarova, Eva Fomitskih, Veronica Mol, Mariana Gorshkova, Mary Jane

Pornceptual: Can you tell us a little bit about your artistic background and what inspired you to pursue a career in art?

Nikita Tyschenko: “I’ve been a visual aesthete since childhood. I drew pictures, graffiti, and came to photography because it is a tool that allows me to quickly capture the moment. I didn’t want to make money on commerce, but to develop a personal style, so I never made the connection between my career and photography. “

 P: How has the ongoing conflict in Ukraine impacted your art?

Nikita Tyschenko: “ I was in a closed space, my inspiration has always been nature, my friends, parties and trips where I was experiencing a lot of emotions and fixing them.

Now I have no emotions, and because of living conditions caused by war I have been spending almost all my time at home, preserving my desire to shoot, I switched from shooting aesthetics in natural locations with natural light to shooting at home with colored light bulbs.At the beginning of the war I tried to shoot cities and people affected by Russian aggression through my own lens. But I never used that material, because I didn’t want to reflect the pain and destruction. Everything in Ukraine is saturated with war as it is.”

P: How has the war affected the Ukrainian art community as a whole, in your opinion?

Diana Fedoriaka: “I believe that the war has had a drastic impact on the art community, resulting in unconditional support and unity. These days, many Ukrainian artists are representing our culture and art globally and advocating for our strengths, struggles, and needs. Many artists have also organized events and initiatives to raise awareness about the war and its impact on Ukrainian society.”

P: Have you created any works specifically in response to the war or its aftermath?

Diana Fedoriaka: “Since the beginning of the full-scale war, I have managed to shoot two projects connected to this topic. In my work, I am not documenting the war itself, but rather, I try to depict the feelings in my own abstract way. The first project I shot was during an art residency organized by Roman Pyatkovka in Nurenberg, Germany. The topic of the residency was “Body in the Safe Space,” and we spent most of our time photographing each other naked. Nonetheless, our thoughts and minds were trapped in Ukraine, and all our conversations ended up focusing on the topic of life at home. As a result, I created the Polaroid series “Despite All That,” which reflects our mental state. My second work was made after my stay in Ukraine and reflected the feeling I had while being in constant danger and hearing endless air alarms. In this video art, “Growing Anxiety,” I depict my mental state during the air alarm.”

Nikita Tyschenko