Main image: Olga Yarovaya
The thirtieth interview through images by Andrew Sheptunov.
Odessa has always been a city that defies description in mere black and white—it demands shades, textures, and a unique perspective on the ordinary. This is precisely the vision possessed by artist Olga Yarovaya, whose work has become an integral part of the cultural code of the modern "Southern Palmyra." Olga does not merely live in Odessa; she literally reassembles it piece by piece, transforming the chaos of everyday life into the ordered harmony of art. Her works are a declaration of love to her native city, where every courtyard, every cat, and every random passerby is worthy of becoming part of a grand canvas.
The uniqueness of Yarovaya’s style lies in a paradoxical rejection of traditional painting tools. "So, why the paints?"—a question that once headlined an article about her—perfectly describes her creative philosophy. Instead of oils and watercolors, her arsenal consists of scissors, glue, and mountains of waste paper. Old newspapers preserving the news of yesteryear, colorful candy wrappers, read books, and glossy magazines find a second, far more enduring life in her hands. This is not just collage; it is filigree "paper painting," where every scrap of paper plays the role of a precise brushstroke.
This approach conceals both a deep ecological subtext and a philosophical reimagining of time. Olga takes what society is accustomed to considering trash or obsolete material and transforms it into aesthetic value. Newspaper headlines, once screaming of sensations, become the fur of a languid cat or the feathers of a fighting rooster. Text loses its momentary relevance, turning into texture, a play of light and shadow. In this way, the artist shows us that art can be created from nothing and yet speak of the eternal.
A special place in her gallery is, of course, occupied by animal "portraits." Odessa cats, as rendered by Yarovaya, are not just cute fluffy creatures, but true personalities with character, wisdom, and that specific laziness inherent to residents of a seaside city. Roosters, assembled from bright magazine trimmings, strike the viewer with their expression and color saturation. Every character born of paper possesses an amazing tactility: the viewer wants not only to look but to scrutinize every fragment, trying to guess where this or that piece was cut from.
Today, Olga Yarovaya's art resonates with the mood of Ukrainians more strongly than ever. In her works, one can feel the painstaking labor, patience, and creative energy that is so necessary in difficult times. By assembling a whole from scattered parts, she seems to conduct art therapy not only for herself but for the viewer, proving that beauty can be found everywhere if one knows how to look. Her pictures are a mosaic of life, containing irony, nostalgia, and hope.
Yarovaya's art is so self-sufficient that it is capable of speaking for itself. Therefore, we proposed an unusual experiment to the artist: to answer our questions not with words, but with her works. We have prepared a large gallery for you so that you can immerse yourself as deeply as possible in this amazing paper world. So, we ask—Olga shows.
1. A work that best answers the question: "Who is Olga Yarovaya?"
2. Show us a character (person or cat) in whom everyone recognizes a typical Odessan.
3. A picture where the text on newspaper clippings tells a hidden story, if one looks closely.
4. That specific cat made of books who has the most human and profound gaze.
5. The most majestic and characteristic rooster from your series.
6. A work that best conveys your love for your native country.
7. The "tastiest" and brightest collage made of candy wrappers.
8. What does the Black Sea look like if you glue it rather than paint it?
9. The work that was the most difficult for you (finest detailing or complex texture).
10. Your most ironic or funny work.
11. A work of nostalgia reminding you of childhood.
12. The most touching work, created with special love.
Each of these works is a small fragment of a larger mosaic that makes up the soul of our city. Olga Yarovaya proves that even in a scrap of old newspaper, a random candy wrapper, or a yellowed book page, one can spot beauty—if one looks at the world with love and that signature Odessa irony.
Her creativity serves as a reminder that art is capable of healing, preserving memory, and offering hope even in the most difficult times. It is a story about creation, about the unique ability to glue together scattered pieces of reality into something whole, vibrant, and alive.
To ensure you don't miss new works, announcements of future exhibitions, or perhaps to see how your own pet could be immortalized in this unique technique, be sure to follow Olga Yarovaya’s pages. Here, there is always room for inspiration, color, and a true Odessa mood:
