Exhibition "Welcome to Paradise"

"Welcome to Paradise" is an exhibition by artist Karina Synytsia that brings together a series of works made with photo wallpaper and painting. In it, the artist explores how mass culture and war shape perceptions of space and influence identity.

The exhibition opens on October 8 at 6:30 PM at the Artsvit Gallery.

Photo wallpapers, once a popular element in post-Soviet interiors, created the illusion of "paradise" within one's own home. Karina Synytsia juxtaposes this imagined comfort zone with the harsh realities of war: the idealized landscapes in her works are destroyed, filled with scorched earth and architectural debris.

Paintings dedicated to the architectural landmarks of Dnipro and other regions of Ukraine occupy a special place in the exhibition. These include the neglected summer theater in Globa Park and the ruined "Dnipro Waves" composition by Ernest Kotkov. Through these images, Synytsia speaks about locality, the significance of cultural heritage and its loss, and reflects on the transformation of our perception of "home" in times of war.

The exhibition is launched with the work "There Will Be No Palms in Paradise" (February 2022), which served as the impetus for the subsequent series. It embodies the image of the "Metalurh" Palace of Culture in Dnipro in a typical photo wallpaper composition, complete with imagined architectural details and local flora. This piece laid the foundation for exploring the theme of space, memory, and illusions.

"For me, this exhibition is about personal and collective memories, about how imagined 'paradise' images are overlaid with the experience of loss. It's about love for places that can no longer be retrieved. I strive to create a space for reflection on how war transforms not only the physical but also the emotional landscape, changing our sense of home, security, and the ideal. It is an exhibition about memories and collective pain, where irony gives way to love," says Karina Synytsia.

The exhibition will be open until December 6, 2025. Admission is free.