March 11, 2024, Amsterdam, BG3, VOX-POP (Binnengasthuisstraat 9)
As part of the Light in the Darkness exhibition, an artist talk was held with Dutch painter Barro Donker and Ukrainian wool-felting artist Olga Tykhonova, moderated by Mariana Dzhulai for the Eastsplainers program. Their collaborative work offered a shared artistic language reflecting themes of war, endurance and hope. The event continued the mission of the Kastanje centre and was supported by the University of Amsterdam.
During the conversation, Mariana guided the audience through Barro and Olga’s personal and artistic journeys. The talk explored Barro’s childhood in Amsterdam, his years living abroad, and the evolution of his artistic identity shaped by influences such as Lucian Freud and Francis Bacon. They discussed the psychological depth of his portraits and how his self-taught practice developed into a distinct contemporary style.
The discussion also highlighted the beginning of Barro and Olga’s artistic partnership. The artists shared how their collaboration works in practice, how Olga’s felt responds to and transforms Barro’s imagery, and how their joint process balances intuition, dialogue and trust. Another central theme was the creative community that has formed around Barro’s studio in Amsterdam, where many displaced Ukrainians have found connection and support.
Artist-led talks give audiences the opportunity to explore the stories behind the art, creating a dynamic exchange that fosters creative confidence and mutual trust. Participants left with deeper insights into Dutch-Ukrainian artistic collaboration and an understanding of how art supports and transforms cultural identity nowadays.
