Colour is arguably the very foundation of the visual language in Ulyana’s icons. Her icons are filled with vibrant hues and bold combinations, much like those found in folk culture.
Initially, black appears rarely. However, after 2022, when colour becomes the primary symbolic message to convey what has been experienced, we see a profusion of dark, monochromatic, or sharply contrasting tones … Images of the Crucifixion appear more and more frequently, as well as the serpent - which embodies not only sin conquered by holiness, but also pain and a great tragedy that is so difficult to fight.
Later, light returns from the darkness once more, Nativity and the Annunciation return as well, and with them - the Light of God, which no darkness can overcome.
Annotation by Marusia Tsymbalista