Maria Borysova is a multidisciplinary artist, born in Kharkiv, Ukraine, working with painting, graphics, mosaics, and installations, rooted in the tradition of monumental mural painting at the Kharkiv Academy of Arts. Her work explores female identity, resilience, and transformation.
Coming from Ukraine to the UK, she reflects on personal and collective experiences of displacement, motherhood, and war trauma. Combining Old Master techniques with contemporary approaches, she creates detailed compositions merging realism and symbolism, where human presence—explicit or implied—plays a central role. Inspired by the richness of Dutch still life and the stylistics of Ukrainian folk ornaments, she uses symbolic imagery to explore the coexistence of strength and vulnerability.
Maria creates her art as a bridge between history and modern life, tradition and contemporary vision. Through painting, graphics, or community projects, her goal is to use art as a means of healing and storytelling, inviting dialogue about identity, memory, and belonging.Ultimately, her art is about transformation—finding beauty in complexity, strength in fragility, and light in challenging times. Through her work, she invites viewers to pause and reflect on images that feel familiar, encouraging a deeper search for meaning and hope.
Maria lives and works in Farnham, Surrey, Uk
Education
2000 - 2006
Kharkiv State Academy of Design and Arts, The Department of monumental painting (Kharkiv, Ukraine) BA (Hons)
Selected Exhibitions
Group
2025
UKRAINIAN ART DIARY, HALLE Alte Feuerwache, Cologne, Germany
2024
Ukrainian Diary 2022-2023, A4, Ballpoint Pen, Ukrainian House, Kyiv, UA
Our Home: Ukraine, Craft Central, The Forge Gallery, London, UK
Unbowed. Stories of Ukraine, Creative Response Gallery, Farnham, UK
2023
Perfectly Frank Opens the Door, Volcano Gallery, Swansea, Wales, UK
Cosmos, Data center Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
Ukraine Past and Present, The Forum, Norwich, UK
Exhibition of Ukrainian Artists. Creative Innovation Centre CIC, Taunton, UK
2022
Artists for Ukraine, St. Andrew's Church, Farnham, UK
OUR HOME, St. John's College, Oxford, UK
OUR HOME, LTB Showrooms, Coventry, UK
2019
Self-Portrait with an Apple, National Academy of Arts of Ukraine, Kyiv
2018
Project Ballpoint Pen, Karas gallery, Kyiv, Ukraine
On the Earth, AC gallery, Kharkiv, Ukraine
2012
Heritage, Siren` Gallery, Kharkiv, Ukraine
The Piece of Pride, Ermilov Center, Kharkiv, Ukraine
2010
Reflection, Maestro Gallery, Kharkiv, Ukraine
2007
We are from Bottega, Kharkiv Art Museum, Ukraine
2006
She. Outlines, Academy Gallery, Kharkiv, Ukraine
Solo
2024
We are from Bottega, Kharkiv Art Museum, Ukraine
2007
Landscapes and Portraits", together with Victoria Sologubova,
Animagic Gallery, Lee MA, USA
Design Awards
2020
European Design Upgrade, Ukraine-Belgium-Finland, “Halabuda Project”
2019
MMOD Competition (Mass Market & Object Design) 1st place - Best product design (kids bunk bed Nest)
Publications
2025
UKRAINISCHES KUNSTTAGEBUCH, exhibition catalogue
2024
Український щоденник 2022-2023, ARTHUSS, Kyiv, UA
2024
2022