Tetyani Kugay

Tetyani Kugay is a painter from Ukraine and Associate Professor at the Kyiv National University of Technology and Design. 

Kugai graduated from the National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture with a speciality in graphic art. The themes of her works are connected with the history and culture of Ukraine, including their ethnic, symbolic and mental aspects. Having been shown in more than fifty art exhibitions, Kugai’s creative works are also in private collections and museums in Ukraine, Great Britain, France, the USA, Italy, Israel and China. Since 1993, has been a member of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine. 

Recently, Kugai wrote this:

“Cooperation with the Artists at Risk gave me the opportunity to continue my residency at Villa Lena in Tuscany and work creatively. I started the residency on May 12, 2022 and created more than 60 art works in oil and acrylic painting, watercolor, pastel and linocut. I participated in two exhibition projects of Ukrainian actions to organize a cultural art residency in the linden tree in the art residence at Villa Lena and near Florence. I also conducted master classes in watercolor and acrylic painting for artists from other countries.  

We had a great time communicating with artists, directors, musicians and florists from other countries, from England, Singapore, Germany and the USA. American director Irina Patkanyan offered me to take part in her project dedicated to women who suffered from violence. For me, it was more than just information – I drew the image of a Ukrainian woman working on the specifics of video filming.

With the support of UNESCO, I plan to continue my two projects: The 1st project is dedicated to Italy and called Enchanted Tuscany; the 2nd project is dedicated to Ukraine and called Destroyed House.”

Tatiana Kugai is an ARTISTS at RISK (AR)-UNESCO Resident at Iris Toscana, Italy, with the support of the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund and the UNESCO-Aschberg Programme for Artists and Cultural Professionals.