Margarita Storozhenko The first exhibition in Berlin

Can inspiration come so suddenly and reflect the inner experience, the principles and vision of life? Margarita Storozhenko did not limit herself with only modeling career, and as a truly creative person she implemented the idea of painting into her life. The first exhibition as a first date - very exciting but brings unforgettable emotions!

Q: Margarita, you are a successful model, but two years ago, when the war began in Ukraine, you moved to London and focused on art. How did you feel when you saw how many people came to the opening of your first exhibition “Clouds,” on May 8, 2024? What was the most memorable? Why did you choose Berlin for your debut?

A: I really changed my life and field from the beginning of the war. It was complicated. The first step was to study at Central Saint Martin. I didn’t know where it would take me, I was just lucky enough to pay little as a Ukrainian and I considered this as a great opportunity. I had to find something to do. When people arrived on May 8, 2024, I didn’t realize that people in Berlin like to attend such events haha. But of course I’m pleased, especially when people showed their interest and asked something deeper than just wow, you draw cool.

Q: I know that you have been painting for a long time. Where did you study and what technique do you prefer?

A: The first steps were in 2019 in Ukraine when Covid began and I found myself locked there immediately after arriving from a modeling contract from Athens. I just started reading and searching, also bought different types of paints like acrylic and oil just to understand what it is and how to use it. I tried to make art from epoxy resin, well, it was just interesting. Then I started taking academic drawing lessons in Kyiv from professionals. Well, of course, in London there is UAL, which was significant for me. But in London, of course, I took private lessons and I have several teachers. Now I only paint in oil.

Q: You said that the London clouds changed your life and became an inspiration. Tell us about the “character” of the London sky and these changes. How long did it take you to paint works which were exhibited in Berlin?

A: ⁠London has absolutely unusual clouds and the sky in general, I have never seen anything like this before. Well, this can probably be explained by the fact that we are on an island. I was excited and studied about it. Then I decided to draw it. One painting is about a month in general, sometimes longer.

Q: The cycle of your paintings “Clouds” definitely stimulates people to look at the sky more often, because the strongest support comes from above. What other ideas did you include in the concept of the exhibition? Have you ever seen an angel while looking at the London clouds for a long time?

A: ⁠As for me, the sky and clouds are about emotion. They are all different and that’s how I called them. As for black and white drawing – I describe it as bringing light to dark. You cannot ask the darkness to leave, you must turn on the light. We will not see light very brightly until darkness is present on the same canvas. It’s the same in life.

Q: You have a twin sister who supports all your endeavors; she was with you at the opening. Who else helped you organize your personal exhibition?

A: Yes, my sister supports me always and she was with me. The people who helped me are completely supportive: the collector who helped me organize the exhibition couldn’t come to publish the work, but he wrote me an encouraging letter. A girl gallerist in Germany provided a wonderful space and helped to organize it. My friends wrote me a lot and congratulated me.