Olena Kovalenko is a practitioner of Petrykivka painting (Petrykivskyi rozpys), a vibrant Ukrainian decorative art form that originated in the village of Petrykivka. Traditionally, these ornate patterns were used by villagers to decorate the interior and exterior walls of their homes. Over time, the craft expanded to ornamenting musical instruments and everyday household objects.

Today, the Petrykivka style is a hallmark of Ukrainian cultural identity, found on everything from modern interior design to contemporary accessories and even street art. Historically passed down through generations of women, the technique is famously unique for its tools: artists often paint with their fingers or specialized brushes made from cat hair to achieve its characteristic delicate strokes.

Olena’s mastery of the craft began at its source—the Vocational School of Folk Painting in Petrykivka. She furthered her expertise at South Ukrainian National Pedagogical University in Odesa, where her thesis featured a series of decorative wooden plates. These works combined traditional Petrykivka principles with themes honoring the legacy of the iconic Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko.

The global significance of this art form is immense. In 2012, Petrykivka decorative painting was inscribed on Ukraine’s National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage, and in 2013, it was recognized on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Contact www: Olena Kovalenko fb phone: +48 575497748