Inner Child
Mariya Golub, Hearts of the Faithful, 2023, acrylic and varnish on canvas, 60 x 90cm, private collection
Mariya Golub captures the inner child - closer to the surface for some and buried deeper for others - that survives in all of us despite the process of growing up, where exists unscathed by life’s ups and downs the sweet innocence of pure joy for no reason, reminding us to believe in magic.
I discovered the art of Mariya Golub (b. 1990, Ukraine) on Facebook, in the well-curated group Сiль-Соль (Salt-Salt) which was established prior to the pandemic and is still going strong to promote emerging Ukranian talents. Her art spoke to me, an immediate and powerful connection that led me to purchase two works without seeing them in person - a first for me, and I’m glad I did.
Mariya Golub, Childhood Cottage, 2018, acrylic on canvas, private collection
Mariya Golub, A Clearly Defined Boundary, acrylic on canvas, private collection
Filled with enchanted forests and joyfully coloured flowers stretching towards the sun or parting just enough to reveal the welcoming glimpse of home, Golub’s works evoke the feeling of a happy childhood where magic is all around and the warmth of home feels eternal.
Even throughout the devastating experiences of the war in Ukraine, the windows of Golub’s cozy cottages wink brightly with love and the promise of better things to come.
Mariya Golub, "Crane paths. The Land of Childhood." 2021, oil acrylic, and varnish on canvas, private collection
This is a poem that Mariya wrote to accompany “Crane Paths. The Land of Childhood” (below). It is beautiful even in translation from her native Ukrainian in which it was written.
The roads lead,
Along those banks,
That appear,
Only in dreams.
There is an eternal spring here,
A living spring
Here a fairy tale was told,
A miracle lived here
Who believes in miracles
Who has hope
Here are the flowers of magic,
Will make your dream come true!
Legend or fairy tale
It never was
And yet it still exists
That village lives on!
M. Golub 2021
Mariya Golub, 2022, "The Earth is Blooming", acrylic on canvas, private collection
You can find more of Mariya Golub’s artworks, as well as some of her poetry, on her FB Page.
COOL FACT
Everything is cool about Mariya. She has two young children and an indomitable spirit.