Maria Borysova is a figurative artist, born in Kharkiv, Ukraine, in 1983, working primarily in oil painting. Her work explores themes of motherhood, adolescence, and forced migration. She draws inspiration from Byzantine iconography and Dutch still life painting, combining traditional techniques with contemporary approaches.
Coming from Ukraine to the UK, she reflects on personal and collective experiences of displacement, motherhood, and war trauma. Using Old Master techniques, she creates detailed compositions merging realism and symbolism, where human presence, explicit or implied, plays a central role.
Maria creates her art as a bridge between history and modern life, tradition and contemporary vision. Through painting, drawings, or community projects, her goal is to use art as a means of healing and storytelling, inviting dialogue about identity, memory, and belonging. Through her work, she invites viewers to pause and reflect on images that feel familiar, encouraging a deeper search for meaning and hope.
Maria lives and works in Farnham, Surrey, UK
Education
2000 - 2006
Kharkiv State Academy of Design and Arts, The Department of monumental painting (Kharkiv, Ukraine) BA (Hons)
Selected Exhibitions
Group
2026
2025
WHEN THE LAND BLOOMS, Freedom Through Expression Gallery, Alton, UK
IDENTITY Rochester Art Fair, Rochester, UK
INVISIBLE VISIBLE, Foyer Gallery, UCA, Farnham
Guildford House Exhibition, Guildford, UK
PLACE, Brightwells Gallery, Farnham, UK
UKRAINIAN ART DIARY, HALLE Alte Feuerwache, Cologne, Germany
Farnham Art Society Summer Exhibition. BEST IN SHOW AWARD, Farnham, UK
2024
Ukrainian Diary 2022-2023, A4, Ballpoint Pen, Ukrainian House, Kyiv, UA
Our Home: Ukraine, Craft Central, The Forge Gallery, London, UK
Unbowed. Stories of Ukraine, Creative Response Gallery, Farnham, UK
2023
Cosmos, Data center Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
Ukraine Past and Present, The Forum, Norwich, UK
Perfectly Frank Opens the Door, Volcano Gallery, Swansea, Wales, UK
2022
Artists for Ukraine, St. Andrew's Church, Farnham, UK
OUR HOME, St. John's College, Oxford, UK
OUR HOME, LTB Showrooms, Coventry, UK
2019
Self-Portrait with an Apple, National Academy of Arts of Ukraine, Kyiv
2018
Project Ballpoint Pen, Karas gallery, Kyiv, Ukraine
On the Earth, AC gallery, Kharkiv, Ukraine
2012
Heritage, Siren` Gallery, Kharkiv, Ukraine
The Piece of Pride, Ermilov Center, Kharkiv, Ukraine
2010
Reflection, Maestro Gallery, Kharkiv, Ukraine
2007
We are from Bottega, Kharkiv Art Museum, Ukraine
2006
She. Outlines, Academy Gallery, Kharkiv, Ukraine
Solo
2024
One Day on Earth, Creative Response, Farnham, UK
2007
Landscapes and Portraits, together with Victoria Sologubova,
Animagic Gallery, Lee MA, USA
Design Awards
2020
European Design Upgrade, Ukraine-Belgium-Finland, “Halabuda Project”
2019
MMOD Competition (Mass Market & Object Design) 1st place - Best product design (kids bunk bed Nest)
Publications
2025
2024
Український щоденник 2022-2023, ARTHUSS, Kyiv, UA
2024
2022