Ukrainian artist Irina Chaika: My art studio, Miracle Bird, was born from painting plein air sketches in Paphos

Irina Chaika is a Ukrainian artist and decorative-applied arts teacher who co-founded the Miracle Bird studio abroad with Ukrainian artist Veronika Serhiienko during forced migration due to russia’s war against Ukraine. The main goal of the studio was to support people who had lost their homes, focusing primarily on applied arts and art therapy. Due to relocating to another city, Irina had to hand over her managerial responsibilities at the studio. Currently, she is actively working on new paintings and commissioned artworks. In February of this year, she participated in the annual Grand Parade carnival in Limassol, where she created fantasy-themed costumes inspired by the works of Ukrainian artist Maria Prymachenko. Irina shared with Drive Music Media the story of her artistic journey, the founding of her art studio in Cyprus, and her experience at the annual carnival.

Interviewer: How and when did your artistic career begin? Why did you choose this field?

Irina: Art has been passed down through generations in my familymy – great-grandmother, grandfather, and my father, who was also a writer, were all artists. Growing up in a home filled with art supplies, I naturally saw myself as an artist from an early age.

Interviewer: During your migration, you founded your own art studio in Paphos, Cyprus. Can you share the process of establishing it, the challenges you faced, and the feedback you received from the locals?

Irina: I originally founded my first studio, Miracle Bird, in Mykolaiv. When the COVID pandemic forced people to stay at home in early 2019, I had to move my studio's classes online. That’s when some of my friends from Mykolaiv, who had already moved to Cyprus, asked to join my online lessons. In the summer of 2021, we visited them and planned to return in April 2022. However, the full-scale invasion changed everything. In the first week of the war, Russian troops began surrounding Mykolaiv, and on March 3, 2022, we were forced to leave Ukraine.

Art is essential – people always have cultural and spiritual needs, as well as the desire to create beauty. Responding to this need, we established an art studio in Paphos, Cyprus. The studio became a reality thanks to my friends, students, and the support of Ukrainian artist Veronika Cherniienko, who has been living in Cyprus for over ten years.

In April 2022, Veronika and I founded "Miracle Bird", starting with plein air painting sessions in the park. Spring was on our side, as the summer heat made outdoor activities almost impossible. Word-of-mouth worked well – our students' friends started joining us, and social media helped spread the word. One key moment was when Yulia Piddubna, the head of the Ukrainian House in Paphos (which was initially a humanitarian aid center), noticed our work online and invited us to move our studio there. That was when our cultural activities truly took off. We organized masterclasses, creative meetups, and exhibitions. Beyond the art studio, I also took on a broader role, coordinating events that brought the Ukrainian community together. That’s how I became the project manager of the Ukrainian House. Many people who had fled Ukraine with their children were unsure of their next steps and needed warmth, support, and a space to escape their worries. This is where my professional background in Decorative and Applied Arts from KNUKiM came in handy. We focused on applied arts and art therapy, incorporating techniques I had developed while working with children with disabilities in Mykolaiv.

For many, Cyprus was only a temporary refuge, as there is no financial support program for Ukrainian refugees and displaced persons. Many eventually left, but I stayed – thanks to our studio and my work at the Ukrainian House.

Interviewer: What was the structure of your program for students? What inspired you in creating it?

Irina: One crucial aspect of migration, in my opinion, is recognizing that you represent an entire nation. It is important for Ukrainian migrants to foster a positive image – showing that we are cultured, educated, strong, and willing to share our knowledge and kindness. Gradually, our studio began to attract local Pontic Greeks, followed by Cypriots. We started with a few painting masterclasses, and soon, they were bringing their children to join us. This cultural exchange became a key part of integrating Ukrainian and Cypriot traditions. In our children's lessons, we explored Ukrainian fairy tales and illustrated their characters. We also introduced them to renowned Ukrainian artists such as Arkhip Kuindzhi, Ivan Aivazovsky, Maria Prymachenko, and Liubov Panchenko. A fundamental part of the program was also studying European art, including masters like Vincent van Gogh. As Taras Shevchenko once wrote:

"Learn from others, but do not forget your own".

Following this principle, we also incorporated Cypriot art into our curriculum, ensuring a well-rounded artistic and cultural experience.

As artists and war-displaced individuals, we have an important mission: to tell the world about the horrors happening in our homeland. Art is a powerful tool – it allows us to reach people on a deep emotional level. On May 15, 2022, the PEACE FESTIVAL Charity Festival Art for Peace took place on the Molos promenade in Limassol. Veronika and I organized a performance involving passersby, where we collectively painted a large triptych – a "coloring mural" based on the works of Ukrainian artist Liubov Panchenko, who tragically died in April 2022 in occupied Bucha. This triptych is now displayed at the Ukrainian House in Paphos. The goal of this performance was to draw attention to the ongoing war in Ukraine, which continues to destroy our artists and cultural heritage.

Interviewer: You are starting over again after moving to a new city. Where are you now in this process? Do you plan to open another studio? What would you like to change based on your previous experience?

Irina: I recently relocated to Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus, and I strongly feel the need to create a new studio here because people need it.

For now, I’ve set up an informational Telegram group, "Events in Nicosia", where I share announcements about Ukrainian cultural events in the city. I am also working on various commissioned pieces, including painting, embroidery, and patchwork. One of my major ongoing projects is a large tapestry titled "Zemlia" (ed. – Earth), which I started back in Paphos. It is a deeply symbolic and energy-charged piece: anyone who wishes for Ukraine’s victory can tie a thread to it. Against the backdrop of a blue and yellow sky and field, two red double diamonds – traditional Ukrainian embroidery motifs – stand out. Within these diamonds, the letters of Ukraine’s coat of arms form the word "VOLIA" (ed. – Freedom). The tapestry is adorned with poppies, symbolizing the blood of those who have sacrificed for our land and freedom. My calling is working with people and teaching.

When I follow this path, many opportunities open up for me. And, of course, creativity for myself – for the soul. Regarding my creative painting, I currently create artworks only on commission. I am most inspired by folk art, applied arts, and everything related to textiles. I enjoy creating contemporary works based on the historical foundation of our cultural heritage. During the war, I gained a clear understanding of who I am and what I should do with all the knowledge I have. Right now, I truly realize the treasure I possess and the path I must take.

The Cypriot art community has received my work very well. In 2023, my tapestry Sunflower was presented at the joint exhibition of Paphos artists, Re.Mix –An Artist’s Choice.

Interviewer: Tell me about a painting that has special meaning for you. What is its name, and why does it matter to you?

Irina: When asked about my favorite paintings, I must say there are actually two. The first one, titled "Ecological Regatta for the Kinburn Spit Cup", hangs in my home in Mykolaiv. Right now, it serves as a guardian for displaced people from Kherson who are living in my apartment.

The second one is "Heron" – a white beauty against a backdrop of reeds and water. In a way, it feels like a self-portrait. This painting is also in Mykolaiv, but I gifted it to Viktoriia Opolinskyi, a volunteer from the organization Crazy Bees, which bakes goods for our defenders on the front lines. Before the war, she really wanted to buy this painting, but I set a very high price because I wanted to keep it. However, in 2022, I felt the need to support Viktoriia and express my gratitude for her important work by giving her the painting as a gift.

Interviewer: What is your mission as an artist? Why this particular mission?

Irina: Time and again, after conversations or events, I hear people say, Iryna, you inspire me. That’s why my mission as an artist is to inspire others.

Interviewer: What word best describes your art? Why?

Irina: My art is quite diverse – I work with different materials and techniques. But if I had to sum it up in one word, it would be WIND. I personally love having open space around me, room to move freely – perhaps because I’m 1.74 meters tall with a matching wingspan! But jokes aside, the sky and the sea give me strength. In my work, I strive to convey that sense of air and freedom. It’s no coincidence that I chose Seagull as my artistic pseudonym.

Pictures were provided by Irina Chaika