Yuliia Drapushko

Visual artist based in Kyiv, Ukraine. B. 1991, Pershotravensk, Dnipropetrovska region, Ukraine.

She graduated from Kyiv National Aviation University, Software engineering in 2015. She has been studying photography and art since 2015 through self-education and various photography schools such as MYPH Art Photoschool, Chekachkov Photo Academy, Kharkiv School of Architecture (pre- graduate course), Kyiv School of Photography, and Timestudia.

Yuliia presented her series 'The Bath' at Odessa photo days 2021 and participated in a group exhibition at Khotkevych Palace in Lviv in 2022. Her work was printed in the Myph photobook.

During the turbulent period of the russian invasion of Ukraine, Yuliia dedicated her talents as a mentor at the Center of Visual Education, contributing to the "Diary of War" project with a book “Safe Place” created as a result.

The newest project 'Temporary Displaced' has also been showcased internationally at the group exhibition 'Greifbar' in Saarlandmuseum Modern Gallery, Germany from April to August 2023. And the project was printed at “Plivka & People” Ukrainian magazine.

Yuliia is researching human nature, feelings, and people in the environment, combining various techniques. She also utilizes photography as a means of introspection and empowerment, creating self-portraits that resonate with inner strength and personal reflection.

Buy the author's work
Yuliia Drapushko

Yuliia's photo projects

Self-Portraits (2021 - ongoing)

Single made self-portrait photos grouped together as a self-reflection act in oder to find inner power.

Temporary displaced (2022)

Full-scale russian invasion to Ukraine has many consequences. And here is one of the stories. A week after 24th of February, family of my sister with two cats were forced to leave their home in Kharkiv overcoming dangerous road to safety. It was hard both for humans and animals. Luckily family managed to get to Dnipro. Two cats Korsar and Malyok their whole life lived in apartment in Kharkiv. And then they were temporary left at granny’s, while family was looking for accommodation.

In autumn me and my aunt were bringing Korsar and Malyok to their family in Portugal. These cats travelled by two cars, three trains and a plane to unite with their loved ones.

All photos were made from the point of cat’s view.

This personal story is a representation of many similar ones. Families are being separated for indefinite time. And animals are suffering along with humans. Millions of wild and domesticated animals were killed, injured or lost their human friends.

At the end of autumn 2022 railway company Ukrzaliznytsia evacuated 112 000 animals.

The Bath (2021)

'The Bath' series was created during the challenging period of quarantine in 2020, specifically in Kyiv's Troyeschina district. With limited possibilities and the world in turmoil, I embarked on a journey to discover a sense of foundation and inner strength, utilizing everything at my disposal.

In my apartment, I sought personal empowerment through different activities. I did some exercises, yoga practices, studies. But it was the simple yet profound act of taking a bath, enriched with salt and soda, that brought me comfort and renewal. The bath became my sanctuary, a place for relaxation and recovery when access to public spaces, such as swimming pools, was no longer viable.

However, two years later the circumstances have changed. The war knocks at the door, literally. Despite remaining in Kyiv, the notion of a safe place, once associated with the comfort of home, started to fade away. There is no safe place at home anymore. There is no safe place in Ukraine. Bath have become some kind of hideout but with high risk.

The bath is just a place, I could do with it whatever I want, like anyone with any place.

In the 'The Bath' series, I invite viewers to reflect upon the profound connection between space, power, and the human spirit. It serves as a testament to our capacity to find strength and meaning even in the most challenging circumstances—a reminder that, regardless of external forces, we possess the agency to shape our personal narratives and enhance any place with our intentions.