Space Invasion
Oil on canvas 80 x 80 cms
My painting is a portrait of Mariia who is from Ukraine and came as a refugee to live in Ireland when war broke out in her country. The aim of this portrait was to demonstrate the constraints put on the space Mariia was being allowed to occupy. Her homeland was under seige with a hostile state attempting to claim the land for itself. In addition, while seeking refuge in County Mayo, Mariia was accommodated in a small hotel bedroom with two strangers.
I chose to paint Mariia in this compressed pose to reflect her limited living space and lack of privacy. This invasion of her immediate personal space also mirrors what is happening in her country. The figure is taken to the limits of the canvas to express this. The box shape of the canvas was a deliberate choice.
Mariia's expression is thoughtful and subdued but her pose is dynamic and demonstrates that she is ready to spring back up to reclaim her space and take her life back.
Ann-Marie Reeve