"I live, create, research and document. Working with archives, reportage, art photography - all of this helps me to feel important and fulfill my photographic mission for scholars, artists and the public. 

 

In my projects, I explore the themes of memory (of the past) and futurism (of the future). My art is born out of personal experience and the historical context in which I live.

 

My name is Olesia Bilyk: I'm a photographer and artist. I was born in the town of Polonne, Khmelnytsky region of Ukraine.

 

My photography experience began at school. At first, I disassembled my grandfather's old KYIV-5 camera for spare parts and loved taking pictures of everything around me with a KODAK (film), and then my parents gave me my first digital camera, a NIKON D3100...

 

But officially I have been engaged in visual art for more than 5 years (from 2018). I have a bachelor's degree in tourism management (2014-18).

 

After university, I moved to Kyiv and worked in my specialty for several months. But I didn't hesitate to change my paper work for a more creative one (2018-19).

 

For a long time I was engaged in self-education, but then I wanted to get certified and improve my skills and entered the Kyiv School of Photography. There, I received diplomas in the basics of photography, object photography, and video shooting and editing (2020-22).

 

Along with studying at the photography school, I worked for four years as a graphic designer, photographer, and videographer (you can see my workplaces in more detail here linkedin .

 

In my free time, I used to conduct photo shoots for my regular clients, as well as reportage and macro photography. Later, to improve my skills, I took courses in photo art and retouching from a Ukrainian school SKVOT (2020-22).

 

On February 24, 2022, I lost my equipment and my job because I lived in Irpin near Kyiv during the Russian invasion. Because of this, I was forced to move to Sweden in Stockholm, where I lived and worked for 1.5 years. During this difficult time, I was inspired by life in Scandinavia, gained experience from art critics and artists from different parts of the world and Ukraine, and most importantly, studied at the young Mykolaiv School of Photography MYPH. After that, I managed to buy new photographic equipment and return to Ukraine, where I continue my work (2022-23).

 

After this experience, I decided to pursue photography as an artist. Now at home I am working on my own projects, which I am happy to share with you. To be continued…"