Meat, Fish &
Aubergine Caviar
Book "Meat, Fish &
Aubergine Caviar" by Overlapse, UK
Favourite book of 2023 by Lensculture & Photo-eye
Order your copy here
This project highlights the richness of Ukrainian culture and traditions, as seen in the vibrant still lifes of colourful vegetables. I also emphasise the importance of preparing and sharing a meal and show the deep-rooted traditions of Ukrainian cuisine. This serves as a reminder of the value of family and community, tying together the cultural heritage that shapes us.
(2016-2019) Odesa, Ukraine
One of the aspects that makes "Meat Fish & Aubergine Caviar" visually compelling is the depiction of the passage of time and its effect on my parents, who have become isolated from the outside world due to the devastating impact of the war. Through these photographs I aim to convey the profound beauty of their humanity and the intimacy found in their daily routines. It is a tender and bittersweet portrait of their lives.
"Meat Fish & Aubergine Caviar" is a poignant testament to the fragile and beautiful nature of life itself. It reminds us to cherish every moment we have with our loved ones and serves as a reflection on the importance of appreciating the connections that bind us together.
The End of an Era: beginning of something else...
2023 - Ongoing
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, many things in my life have changed. As Ukrainians, we have been living under immense pressure and stress. My mother suffered a heart attack. I was diagnosed with diabetes. And while still recovering from the burnout of that year, I found myself waking up to the news of my country being hit by bombs, missiles, and drones. Too much to process—too much for the body to handle.
In the midst of this turmoil, I turned inward, focusing on something both small and monumental: my own body and well-being. I sought comfort in family traditions—the ones I was creating within my home in the Netherlands, those I carried with me from Ukraine, and others I embraced from my husband’s Brazilian family.
I found myself cooking more, researching how nutrition could help manage my diabetes and other metabolic conditions that run in my family. This exploration led me to unexpected places, from local farming initiatives to the realization that well-being is deeply interconnected. Eating, cooking, exercising, maintaining mental health, socializing, and preserving family traditions passed down through generations—all of these elements shape our health and longevity in ways we often overlook.
And so, The End of an Era, Beginning of Something Else was born. It marks the closing of a chapter—when I was young, free, childless, and could eat chips and pasta daily, washed down with a glass of wine without a second thought. It is also the end of an era when my parents lived in a free, unoccupied Ukraine, a time when I could visit them whenever I wanted.
But with every ending comes a beginning. Now, I find myself embracing a life that is smaller, more structured, perhaps even mundane by my younger self’s standards. A life where nutrition, movement, meditation, and holding onto comforting rituals take center stage. This project is a reflection of that transformation—a visual and emotional exploration of what is lost, what is gained, and what endures.
Portraits
Motherhood DE-Constructed
