An original painting in gouache on 600gsm paper, size 32 x 23 cm.

A painting inspired by the work of Ukrainian folk artist Maria Prymachenko (1909 -1997). I’m asking myself what might she paint right now, with Putin’s army wreaking havoc on her homeland?

The title of this painting “Light always wins over darkness ” is from a quote made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in March 2022 just two months after the Russian invasion. Prymachenko sometimes gave her paintings lengthy and descriptive titles, so I thought I would do the same.

Somehow, in this painting I’ve managed to combine a bit of Prymachenko, and I see quite a lot of William Morris (1834 – 1896) of wallpaper fame too, who I look at quite a lot. Both these artists produced highly decorative works that also are stuffed full of meaning, joy, hope and solace. The latter is something we all need right now!

There’s a universal and timeless quality to folk art that I find so attractive. It has immediacy and it’s inclusive – anyone can have a go. Folk art is often rooted in a culture, but at the same time can be ‘read’ and enjoyed by any human being on the planet. It looks simple – maybe even naïve – but I like that, too. In my world, art should be for everyone!