In a time of great divisiveness is the moment that calls us to reflect on what connects us all. This exhibition, “Portraits of Us,” featuring provocative portraits by Ukrainian artist Ola Rondiak, aims to stimulate conversation about what it means to be human and the unifying effects of interconnectedness. Rondiak’s deeply personal portraits reflect intimate emotions like sorrow, isolation, longing, and hope, enveloping the viewer in those familiar sensations. It is with her art that Rondiak tugs on one of the threads of humanity: empathy.

Rondiak’s Serenity, an acrylic collage on canvas, is a fitting headliner for “Portraits of Us.” With the figure’s eyes closed in a moment of calmness, emotions are left up to the viewer's interpretation allowing for projections of myriad feelings. In this way, viewers can connect with the portrait, while also making a connection with viewers who’ve stood before the work and gazed in contemplation. To create ephemeral women who are both individuals and blank canvases in an environment for introspection, Rondiak layers and smears the acrylic paint across the canvas. Within the layers of paint she collages sheets of paper with sewing patterns lightly obscured, an illustration of Rondiak’s family tradition of sewing and threadwork.

“Portraits of Us” is a reminder to practice empathy and find similarities in the faces and hearts of those around us. Ola Rondiak masterfully intertwines the personal and the universal, inviting viewers to engage with the emotional core of her work. Through her evocative use of acrylic and collage, she creates portraits that transcend individual identity, encouraging a shared experience of empathy. Rondiak’s art serves as a bridge, connecting us through shared reflection and the unspoken language of the heart.

Curatorial Statement by
Phoebe Caswell