The beauty of Ukraine…

By Odette Loukovskaya-Cartwright

Having modelled from a young age, Alena Pylgun is very much accustomed to being made into someone else's work of art. Modelling was her childhood ambition, she tells me, and when at the age of 14 she was signed to one of Ukraine's major agencies, that dream became a reality and she launched a successful modelling career which has lasted for more than 10 years.

However, it seems that being exposed to the endless creativity of designers, make-up artists, and photographers set her own creativity flowing, and resulted in these beautiful traditional works inspired by her own Ukrainian heritage and background.

"My art reflects my own traditional family values," she says, "Ukrainian women have been making these icons for centuries, and growing up, I watched my aunt making them.".

Alena, who hails originally from Kiev, is proud to bring these traditions from her home of Ukraine to Belgium, all the way across Europe. "Being in Belgium has opened up a lot of opportunities. I am free to express myself in any way I want and I am happy to introduce the people here to my own heritage and culture."

Alena has lived in Belgium for several years, and plans to hold an exhibition of her work in the near future.

For more information: [email protected]

Odette Loukovskaya-Cartwright is a final year student at the European School, Brussels, and an occasional contributor to EU Reporter.

Photos: Marnix De Paepe

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