Interview with Nataliya Revonyuk
Natalia Revoniuk, born and raised n Lviv, Ukraine, in 1980. In 2022 moved to UK. She is not just an artist; she is an explorer of worlds, a visionary whose canvas extends far beyond borders. A graduate of Ivan Franko Lviv National University and the Art Business Academy in Kyiv, Natalia has crafted a distinctive artistic path that transcends traditional boundaries.
Her artistic journey is a fusion of diverse techniques, ranging from Dot Art, Sacred Geometry, Painting, Graphics, Fluid Art, to Transformational and Energy Art, Cucuteni-Trypillya art, Aboriginal art. Natalia seamlessly integrates virtual and augmented reality, venturing into the realm of NFT art. Her work is a captivating exploration of both the physical and energetic aspects of the world.
Natalia's curiosity has led her to travel to 86 countries, immersing herself in various cultures, galleries and artistic expressions. For the past 22 years, she has delved into spiritual practices, including meditation, nail meditation, sound meditations, vipasana and ayahuasca ceremonies, enriching her artistic perspective.
Artist has more than 35 solo and group exhibition in 7 European countries (Italy, UK, Austria, Turkey, Ukraine, Poland, Germany). Natalia's artworks were represented in museum, she is author and teacher of master classes and Art Curator of “Forum Ukraine”.
Natalia’s artworks were bought to private collections in 10 countries (Finland, Spain, Ukraine, UK, Poland, USA, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Austria). Her credo is: "The world after us should be a better place than before us," reflects her commitment to using art as a catalyst for positive change.
A Visionary Artist, Natalia Revoniuk, with her deep insights and unique blend of ancient symbolism and contemporary techniques, is a bridge between worlds. Her life story and artistic creations invite you to explore the extraordinary, where art and exploration seamlessly converge.
My artistic skills have evolved in tandem with my spiritual journey, reaching a culmination in the creation of my signature technique. This approach seamlessly integrates entering a specific state of consciousness through an intentional effort like meditation. As I immerse myself, the artist's sensitivity to the informational field and energies intensifies.
The application of intricate drawings and symbols, rich with both information and energy, becomes a transformative act on canvas.
I believe that artworks created through this process carry profound meaning and the ability to impact not only aesthetic satisfaction but also a positive energetic influence on individuals or the space where the painting is displayed. I have personally witnessed this phenomenon on numerous occasions with my customers. This methodology finds scientific validation in quantum physics and the phosphogenic theory, resonating with the effects observed in the works of artist Mark Rothko.
At the core of my current mission is the refinement of the methodology for creating paintings that can touch the deepest chords of the human soul and emotions. In turn, this has the potential to alter an individual's thought processes, motivation, and actions, leading to transformative changes in their life. This occurs through the natural synergy of my harmonious state during the painting process and the connection to informational field of the Earth and more.
Can you tell us about your journey as an artist? What were some key moments that defined your path?
I believe there were several key moments that defined my path as an artist. Three main processes, a blend and parallelization of which have yielded today's results.
Firstly, from my childhood, I was immersed in art books. My grandmother was an art historian. Currently, I have visited 85 countries, and in each of these, I explored local museums and art galleries, witnessing firsthand the originals of most of the world's great canvases.
Secondly, spiritual development has played a crucial role. I've been engaged in meditations and self-discovery. For the last 15 years, my focus has been on yoga, meditation on nails, Ayahuaska, cosmoenergetics, bioenergetics, epigenetics, and quantum physics. I am intrigued by everything related to the inner world and the structure of humanity and the universe as a whole.
The third aspect involves practical implementation. I've studied various painting styles, ranging from sacred geometry and classical painting to contemporary reinterpretations of classics. As a result, I've developed my own distinctive style, which is recognizable and graphically reflects the energy and information I sense in space.
How has your Ukrainian heritage influenced your artistic style and the themes you explore in your work?
On this matter, initially, I was convinced that my extensive exploration of world art was not influenced by my Ukrainian heritage. However, a recent analysis of the graphic symbols I create on canvas revealed a surprising connection to the art of the ancient Trypillian civilization. This civilization thrived on the territory of modern-day Ukraine 7,000 years ago and was the most advanced civilization in Europe at that time. This phenomenon is now referred to as genetic memory, suggesting that symbols very similar to Trypillian symbols manifest in my paintings.
Do some aspects of Ukrainian culture, history, or landscape inspire your artwork?
Indeed, after discovering that my symbols resemble Trypillian ones, my interest in the history of my native Ukraine deepened even further. I immersed myself in the enchanting world of an incredibly advanced civilization. Imagine, while people in Europe still wore animal skins, the Trypillians were already weaving fabric for clothing, embellished with ribbons. Their civilization had reached a level where they were no longer dependent on weather or external factors such as hunting because they had mastered agriculture. They knew they could live and survive through winters without worrying about food or feeding their children. By mastering agriculture, understanding seasonal changes, and creating clothing, they essentially closed the first level of Maslow's hierarchy—survival—and propelled their civilization to the next level. At this stage, elements such as self-awareness, understanding one's purpose on Earth, and the desire for self-expression emerged. They had the time to create clay artefacts and adorn them with beautiful ornaments.
As an artist from Ukraine, what challenges have you faced, especially considering the recent historical and political events? Did they impact your art?
It's clear that the full-scale attack by Russia on Ukraine and the ongoing war for almost two years now has significantly altered my perception of the world and life in general. Consequently, it has had a profound impact on what and how I paint.
In the days just before the war began, as a visionary artist, I received a strong impulse to paint a picture. This painting, created in a relatively short time, is titled "Feathers of Guardian Angels." I'm not deeply religious, so it was a departure from my usual themes. However, as one art critic later commented when the painting was exhibited in Berlin, it was an artistic premonition and a desire to invoke protection for my country and family. There are many instances where artists, through their works, anticipated the future or reflected reality. This painting happened to be the first canvas created under the influence of the war that started a few days later.
In the initial days of the war, it seemed to me that I would never be able to paint again. It was an emotionally challenging state, and the uncertainty of how life would unfold was overwhelming. No one could believe that in the center of Europe, in our time, bombs could fall on residential buildings, and the lives of many people, including children, could end in a second.
This experience led to a reevaluation of many things. I believe the war significantly accelerated personal evolution and the evolution of many Ukrainians. When you understand that you could die tomorrow, today you only do what truly matters. People become more honest with themselves and with the world. While in the past, individuals spent many years in psychotherapy or practicing meditation to reach a state of resolution, the war, in a forced manner, expedited the evolution of all those affected by it.
Could you describe your creative process? How do you approach the creation of a new piece of art?
As a visionary artist, I paint not what I see with my physical eyes, but what I feel and see with my inner vision. I believe I have access to high-vibrational energy and information, which I can translate onto the canvas in the form of graphic symbols. The paintings serve as vessels from the informational field to the physical world, containing a wealth of energy and information.
During the creation process, I enter a unique state akin to meditation. I have my own method of immersing myself in this world, and it feels like a form of service, as I tap into layers of information not easily accessible to many. It's my responsibility to convey this information onto the canvas as purely and undistorted as possible. Many sensitive individuals have attested to feeling a unique energy from my paintings, while others, less attuned, simply express their enjoyment. Over the years, those who have purchased my paintings continue to send messages of gratitude, expressing how the artworks inspire and bring joy whenever they gaze upon them.
I am currently working on establishing a means to officially measure the frequency of vibration emitted by the paintings. This initiative aims to provide those less sensitive with a tangible understanding of the energy these paintings truly emanate.
When engrossed in the creative process, I invariably experience an overwhelming sensation of unconditional love. This feeling is so intense that time becomes elusive—I lose track of hours, forget basic needs like eating or drinking, and may remain in this flow for several consecutive hours. The inspiration to create a painting can strike unexpectedly amid the routines of everyday life, but the desire to bring a particular vision to life is so potent that resisting it is futile.
Your work centers around the concept of the 'art of living.' Could you share with us what this concept means to you and how it influences your artistic expression?
Art of Living is about fully experiencing each day, unraveling one's potential, understanding oneself and the surrounding world. It's about infusing love into every process, finding joy and pleasure in life, and extending help to others. For me, Art of Living is living each day as if it were the last, not postponing dreams or plans for tomorrow. It's about being the best version of oneself every day, not as a struggle against oneself but as an effortless journey into one's true self. It's about writing the story of life without drafts and becoming the authentic self each day. It's not about overcoming oneself but about effortlessly being who you truly are, with the energy and inspiration growing with each passing day.
In creating art that embodies the 'art of living,' what is your creative process like? Do you follow a certain routine or ritual to get into the right mindset, and how do you translate your life experiences into your art?
I often desire the presence of a gently flickering scented candle in the space where I paint. Additionally, fresh flowers daily create an essential atmosphere for me. However, the most crucial element is the state of mind that I can enter, thanks to various meditation practices. I also employ visualisation techniques, particularly those connected to color theory, utilizing my own methods and insights that work best for me.
Certainly, I can add that I do not use any additional stimulating substances. I abstain from alcohol, drugs, mushrooms, or any other compounds. The only means by which I enter a state of flow is through the right mindset and the exertion of willpower.
What impact do you hope your art will have on your audience? How do you wish to engage them in the conversation about living artfully, and have there been any memorable responses or interpretations of your work that stood out to you?
Thank you very much for this question; it is indeed a crucial topic for me. How my canvases influence people who view or purchase them is significant. Firstly, as it is a highly detailed graphic abstraction, it naturally stimulates individuals to observe the details and immerse themselves in a unique state of self-discovery. The fact that it is an abstraction allows each person to find and see something personal, fostering self-awareness.
Secondly, as mentioned earlier, I believe that my paintings carry a certain charge of information and energy that positively impacts the space in which they reside and the people who contemplate them. I have received several testimonials that have touched my heart deeply. One is related to a person who had to leave their home near Kyiv in Ukraine due to the war and relocated to Poland. After a few months, she wrote to me expressing how much she is missing their home, particularly my painting in that home. It was a poignant and touching moment for me.
Additionally, I often hear that people, by viewing my paintings daily, fall more in love with them and discover something new, revealing hidden layers of meaning over time. This is a gratifying realisation, knowing that my paintings continue to unfold and offer new insights.
Furthermore, there was a feedback about a painting I had not planned to create. It seemingly came to me, and after its completion, the new owner mentioned that upon first seeing it, he couldn't believe it was real. It precisely depicted how he internally envisioned and imagined the structure and functioning of the world. It was a profound testament to the power of art to resonate with the viewer's innermost perceptions and experiences.
Which of your artworks are you most proud of, and can you share the story or inspiration behind it?
When it comes to discussing my favourite art work, it often happens to be the latest piece I am working on or have just completed. Frequently, my most beloved work is the one I am currently immersed in, reflecting the passion and dedication I bring to each project. However, if I were to reflect on the piece I am most proud of, it might not be my largest work, measuring 15 by 9 meters, or the most intricately detailed one, or the piece showcased in the most prestigious exhibition. Honestly, the artwork I take the most pride in is my very first piece in my unique artistic style.
This particular work marked a crucial step in my art career, as it allowed me to create authentically, free from the constraints of rules and regulations in the art world that I had studied for many years. Despite all the established norms, this piece was a testament to me giving myself the freedom to express my art just the way I envisioned it. It was a pivotal moment not only in allowing myself to create art as I desired but also in embracing a lifestyle that resonated with my true self.
Looking towards the future, what aspirations do you have for your art? Are there new themes or techniques you wish to explore?
I certainly plan to continue developing my unique graphic style. Additionally, I intend to increase the incorporation of augmented and virtual reality, which I am already using in my works. Perhaps, the most important goal for me is to learn how to create pieces that resonate with the soul of every individual even more, evoke positive emotions, and, hopefully, inspire them to live their unique life to the fullest every day. After all, isn't that why we are here?
