Blessed – Mariuccia

The exhibition Blessed is grounded in exploring human beings and their relationships with religion.

Mariia Nechaluik’s artwork is grounded in the exploration of human beings and their relationships with religion. This inspiration comes from her own life and childhood experiences. Growing up in a religious family, she attended church every Sunday and prayed every night before bed. Although she sometimes found this routine challenging, she was always deeply inspired by the aesthetic of churches and religious symbolism. The captivating stories from the Bible further fueled her imagination and artistic direction. These formative experiences have left a lasting imprint on her work.

When Mariia is working on a new project, she draws initial inspiration from the aesthetics of Orthodox and Catholic churches. She delves into the intricate details of these religious settings, selecting elements that resonate. This process involves extensive research, often down to the minutest detail, which informs the depth and nuance of her art. Through her works, she explores how people communicate with religion and how they believe in their own ways. Her intention is not to convince viewers of any particular religious perspective, but rather to offer a space where each person can interpret the work through their own lens—whether they are atheists or devout believers.

Mariia was born in Ukraine in 2003. She began painting when she was very young. At the age of 9, she enrolled in her hometown’s art school and completed her studies by the age of 14. Afterwards, she continued her artistic journey through private lessons with a local artist. In 2022, when the Russo-Ukrainian war began, Mariia moved to Scotland. Initially studying architecture and design online at the Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture, she soon realized that her true passion lay in art. In 2023, she pursued her passion further by starting an HND course in Contemporary Art Practice in Aberdeen, Scotland.