The "Illusion of Presence" series is about the current time of breaking ties with relatives. War forces close people to separate. Then mobile messengers become the only channel for communication.

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I live between Odesa and Berlin, while my whole family is in Odesa. The large-scale figures of my family members,

exceeding the actual height of a person, reflect their importance, and meaning for me.

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During the last two years that I have been living in Berlin, my family has not been able to attend my exhibitions. At this exhibition, they are with me, at least on paintings.

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Photo: Alex Dyak

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