In Conversation with Sana Shahmuradova Tanska: On Making Art In Ukraine

An in conversation with Ukrainian-Australian choreographer Liesel Zink and Ukrainian artist Sana Shahmuradova Tanska about her practice, her motivations, and her experiences of living and working in Ukraine under the conditions of Russian invasion. Sana Shahmuradova Tanska is a participating artist in the 24th Biennale of Sydney.

Sana Shahmuradova Tanska is a painter from Odesa, Ukraine, currently based in Kyiv. A significant part of her childhood was spent in the countryside in the Podillia region in Ukraine. Shahmuradova Tanska’s practice is focused on paintings and graphics where she explores her roots, using trauma as a method of communicating with ancestors. Her practice typically involves oil on various surfaces, as well as watercolours on paper. Recent works highlight atrocities and violation of nature and inhabitants committed by the aggressor, with an emphasis on the similarity of brain activity while visualising both future and past. The time distance between past traumatic events and the present has suddenly disappeared.

Liesel Zink is an award-winning choreographer of Ukrainian and German descent interested in collective bodies as a tool for social change. She has developed and presented work around Australia, Asia and Eastern Europe often working in collaboration with local artists. Liesel’s practice explores the intersection of contemporary dance and community engagement. She creates performances in public-space and uses her creative process as a means for artistic, cultural and intergenerational exchange. Liesel was awarded the Australian Dance Award for Outstanding Achievement in Independent Dance for project The Stance (presented 10 cities world-wide between 2015-2019). Other Independent projects include Us And All Of This 2023 (Arts Centre Melbourne, Geelong Arts Centre and Bunjil Place), Daruvaty (Bleach Festival 2022), Our New (IMA Gallery 2020) and We and the Uncertain (Ukraine 2019). She is currently an Associate Artist for Force Majeure, a board member of Theatre Network Australia and more broadly, a dramaturge, facilitator and producer.

Photo: Daria Svertilova. In Kyiv, blackouts of winter 2022-23. Courtesy of the artist.