Sidewalk witnesses
2026
Soft pastel
on brown paper,
19 x 39 cm, 29 x 39 cm, 39 x 39 cm, 59 x 39 cm
About
This series of 4 pastel square landscapes is based on photos taken during a 20-minute walk to the railway station, soon after I arrived in Austria as a refugee.
It is about hope, longing, the way home to yourself and perseverance.
Fields of Gravity
2026
Soft pastel
on brown paper,
21×21 cm each
About
This series of 12 pastel landscapes depicts twelve months of the year in the fields in the Wine quarter
of Lower Austria. It reflects on the experience and acceptance of forced immigration.
The fields are grounding and solid, and I planted my feet here. I moved my centre of gravity here, away from my past in Ukraine.
Walls & Fences
2024
Soft pastel
on grey paper,
15×21 cm each
Exhibited
2025, “Stolen Past, Threatened Future”
at Exhibit Eschenbachgasse, Vienna
2025, Gemeinde Kreuttal, Hautzendorf
2024, Kunsthaus Hruschka, Falkenstein NÖ
About
The main characters of this series are the trees and bushes divided or brought together by “walls and fences” representing my people (fellow Ukrainian refugees), who are likewise separated or forced to co-exist in confined spaces.
It is about separation, external and internal boundaries, alienation and limitation, at the same time about life, beauty, love and acceptance.
Views of Heaven
2023
Soft pastel
on brown paper,
21×21 cm each
Exhibited
August 2022, LLLLLL artist-run space (Vienna)
February 2024, Exhibit Eschenbachgasse (Vienna)
About
This series of 14 square pastel landscapes is based on the photos taken from the window of a train from Kyiv to Vienna in April 2022. It was the first time I returned to Ukraine for a few days after leaving at the beginning of the full-scale war. Every moment of my being there felt like total euphoria. It was as if I had visited heaven. I desired to be fully present and enjoy every second, but felt each moment painfully slip away.
Polina Makarova 