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These Paintings Are About Us, Ukrainian Women – Strong and Determined!
These aren’t just paintings. They are the soul. They are power, incredible energy, and ultimately – pure magic…
Her paintings seem to gaze directly into the heart, even though the women depicted as motankas in them have their eyes closed.
“I close their eyes to show their character,” the artist says about her “Motanka” series. (A motanka is a traditional Ukrainian doll made from fabric and tied with knots. The name comes from the Ukrainian word “motaty,” meaning “to wind” or “to twist.” In ancient times, motankas were believed to serve as sacred protective amulets.)
And the characters of the heroines in her paintings are extraordinary! “Fiery,” alive, inspired, and strong – just like Ukraine itself!
Ukrainian Artist Marta Pitchuk: A Phenomenon of Western Ukrainian Art
Marta Pitchuk, a unique artist from the Prykarpattia region, has already been hailed as a phenomenon in Western Ukrainian art. She creates talented Motanka paintings, supports the Ukrainian Armed Forces, has painted over a hundred canvases, and has crafted dozens of murals.
One of Marta Pitchuk’s paintings from the “Motanka” series was sold at auction for 320,000 hryvnias – funds she donated entirely to the Ukrainian Armed Forces! In total, the amount of money raised from selling her paintings and merchandise, and donated to support Ukraine’s defenders, has surpassed two million hryvnias. This has enabled the purchase of four vehicles for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, along with tactical backpacks, helmets, knee pads, headphones, night vision devices, Starlink systems, and more.
Impressive, isn’t it? So, let’s get to know the incredible and unique Marta Pitchuk.
“I don’t remember a time without a brush in my hand,” the artist admits.
She was born in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine, into a creative family. She graduated from the Kosiv Institute of Applied and Decorative Arts with a degree in monumental painting and later earned a qualification as an illustrator at the Lviv Academy of Printing.
Marta shares that her life is divided into two periods: before the “Motanka” series and after. The iconic series began by chance when she discovered a traditional Hutsul headpiece (“chiltse”) in an old village house. Unlike the modern plastic versions found in markets today, this one was made of metal and was centuries old. “I was very surprised at the time,” Marta recalls.
“I thought I was well-versed in history and culture, but it turned out there was so much more to learn about the headwear of the Ukrainian highlanders.”
This discovery led the artist to explore regional traditions more deeply, and she soon emerged with her vibrant, mystical, and evocative “Motankas.”
Her paintings feature images of women in ethnic attire from various regions of Ukraine.
“I study the ethnic regions of Ukraine, trying to find something special and unique in each one. Every piece I create is dedicated to a specific locality, making it a kind of anthropological research.”
“Sometimes, seeing a headpiece, ornament, or even a single ribbon can inspire an entire painting,” the artist explains about what drives her creative process.
Her “Motanka women” are far from faceless, not at all!
“At first, I carefully painted all the facial features, including eyelids and pupils, so that the Motanka had a soul and character. Then I cover the eyes with threads,” the artist reveals, offering a glimpse into her creative process.
“The image of the Motanka doll inspires me: they are symbols of ancestral memory, transmitting the energy and strength of Ukrainian women, inspiring and encouraging the viewer to embrace their roots. My paintings combine the protective power of the doll with the reality of a woman. Often, admirers write to me saying they recognize themselves, their mothers, or sisters in these images. I am always delighted by this because these paintings are about us, Ukrainian women.”
Paintings Like a Movie Paused in Time
“At the heart of my canvases is every Ukrainian woman, or, to put it figuratively, the light of a Ukrainian woman. I love using a technique where I “illuminate” the women’s faces and even their hands as if I’m adding energy to them… I keep a notebook and pencil next to my bed because the Motankas often come to me at night. When these ideas for paintings come to me, they aren’t static — they spin, they dance. And in my mind, I pause this motion on the canvas… I see these paintings as a movie paused in time.”
Marta Pitchuk’s “Motankas” have traveled as far as the heart of Thailand, where her works were exhibited. Her paintings are housed in private collections not only in Ukraine but also in England, Germany, the Czech Republic, Italy, Austria, France, Luxembourg, Poland, Argentina, the United States, and Canada. Since the beginning of the full-scale war, Marta Pitchuk has been selling her paintings at auctions to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
“At the start of the war, I would go to weave camouflage nets and participate in other volunteer activities because I really wanted to help the Ukrainian soldiers,” the artist recalls.
“I put my first painting up for a charity auction, where 100% of the proceeds went to the UAF and volunteers. With the money from subsequent sales, we bought tactical backpacks, helmets, knee pads, headphones, night vision devices, Starlink systems, and more for the military. That’s when I thought, “Art can help!” and decided that I would continue painting and donate all the proceeds to support the army,” she remembers.
“Later, I realized that my work sends a message of self-affirmation as Ukrainians, so there needs to be even more of them!
I believe that a modern Ukrainian artist should promote Ukrainian culture. In my paintings, I want to show that our traditions can be contemporary, stylish, and in tune with the times, while still emphasizing our depth and heritage,” the artist shared.
“I dream of living to see the day when all Ukrainians believe that we are not only a strong and courageous nation, as we are currently showing the world, but also an extraordinarily talented one,” says Marta Pitchuk.
“We have so much to be proud of, both in our past and today!”
