Exhibitions

At the initiative of the Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykola Azarov and supported by the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine, from 24 September to 6 October 2013 the PinchukArtCentre presents an exhibition by a talented 17-year-old artist Daria Bezkosta, handicapped by cerebral palsy, who paints using her toes.

The show of the young artist, the winner of the Victor Pinchuk Foundation “Pride of the country 2012”  in the nomination “Strength of Spirit”, includes 30 paintings - from the early works to the new more mature gouache and oil exhibits. The show will be presented in an educational room on the 5th floor of the art center.

Daria had a dream of a personal exhibition in Kyiv. The Ministry of Culture and the PinchukArtCentre organized a show of the young artist on the personal initiative of the Prime Minister of Ukraine, making this talented girl’s dream come true.

Daria’s talent was discovered when she was 11. Helping her in mastering the fine art is her Sumy art school teacher Serhiy Lebedenko. Despite serious illness, the girl is constantly improving her skills, learning the technique of oil painting.

Works of Daria Bezkosta are increasingly attracting the attention of people who are not indifferent to art. Skills of the young artist are striking. Daria’s paints flowers with incredible colors, they are so exaggerated in size that hardly fit even in the large canvases. Her landscapes take an unusual appearance. All Daria's works are imbued with the love of life and light, they are permeated with optimism. From recently her paintings also reflect the world of human relations, love in particular. She symbolically named one of her works “The Sea of ​​Love.”

Daria Bezkosta received birth brain injury, later it developed into cerebral palsy, her body refused to obey, but her intelligence has found its way out. Daria’s parents had hoped that she would write with her hands, but the miracle did not happen, and then after many attempts it turned out that Daria could draw and sculpt with her toes.

Drawing is the only thing where this girl is able to express herself. She is optimistic and wants her talent to renowned. Daria has a great strength of spirit and is eager to share her story. Although extremely restricted physically, Darai Bezkosta is exceedingly free in her work.

Background:

Daria was born on 4 July 1996. She lives with her mother Elena and her younger brother Timothy (age 6).

Daria Bezkosta participated in the Exhibition Festival “Unrest of the heart" in 2011, where she won the main prize in the category "Children's creativity" (Subnomination "Artistic creation"). On numerous occasions she has been involved in charity for sick children. Funds raised by selling her own paintings she donated to seriously ill children in need of treatment. In 2011 and 2012, she participated in the 4^th and 5^th National Exhibition Festival of "Gifted Children of Ukraine" receiving a diploma. In April 2013 Daria won the "Pride of the country" prize established by the Victor Pinchuk Foundation (nomination "Strength of the Spirit.") The young artist donated her award towards treatment of a three-year-old boy.