Dialogue between art and memory
On October 7, the ARTIUM gallery in Geneva opened the exhibition “Saltwater Pearls,” a joint project by Anastasia Bolshakova and Ksenia Datsyuk. The idea brought together two Ukrainian artists who share a similar sensitivity to form, emotion, and the symbolism of nature.
The exhibition explores the sea as a metaphor for memory and self-discovery. In a series of elegant, emotionally charged paintings, the artists reflect on fragility, resilience, and transformation.
For Anastasia Bolshakova, who has been drawing since early childhood and currently studies in Geneva, painting has become a meditative practice — a way to stop the noise and return to the moment of “here and now”. Her series Saltwater Pearls was born from a love of swimming and the calm of the sea, from an internal dialogue between silence and depth. This is the artist’s second solo exhibition — the first took place in Cyprus, laying the foundation for the further development of her creative path on the international stage.
Ksenia Datsyuk, a Ukrainian artist based in Vienna, focuses on the emotional and psychological states of women. In her works, the seashell appears as a symbol of memory and protection – as a vessel of the sea, preserving its whispers and the silence of the depths.
Both artists joined forces to support the Children of Heroes Foundation, a Ukrainian charitable organization that helps children of fallen defenders rebuild their lives, feel supported, and build a brighter future. Together with the audience and patrons, they managed to raise 264,900 UAH, which will be fully donated to the foundation.
The event brought together representatives of the international art community, collectors, and supporters of Ukrainian culture — creating a space where art became not only a language of beauty, but also an act of solidarity.
“It is knowledge that gives our wards a chance to believe in themselves again and dream big. Therefore, we are sincerely grateful to Anastasia Bolshakova, Ksenia Datsyuk and everyone who joined the fundraising. This exhibition has become not only a manifestation of art, but also an act of solidarity and humanity that will help 143 of our wards study mathematics for three months. This is more than lessons. This is support that restores the children of Heroes' faith in a successful future,” — Antonina Holovach, co-founder of the Children of Heroes Foundation.
