Iryna Maksymova from Kolomyia, Ukraine. Paints from instinct and feeling. Her work is vibrant yet pared back, shaped by personal emotion and social observation. At the heart of her practice is a desire to surface the unseen, whether that’s the silent resilience of women or the quiet dignity of animals. Her compositions are often deceptively simple, but always deeply human.
In her Dog Series, Maksymova turns to the figure of the dog, not as decoration, but as metaphor. These are shelter dogs: nameless, overlooked, and yet full of light. Rendered on paper with tenderness and immediacy, each drawing becomes a portrait of unconditional love, honesty, and hope.
"These dogs are not just bodies, they are souls."
Through this series, Maksymova speaks to the universal need to be seen, accepted, and loved not in spite of where we come from, but regardless of it. The dogs she draws are emotional witnesses, quiet healers who show up without judgment. Their gaze holds both a question and an answer.
Explore the Iryna collection with three of the works framed and three of the works on paper unframed. Available to view in person at our Darlinghurst showroom and available to purchase online.
Your series focuses on shelter dogs as symbols of unconditional love and quiet resilience. What first drew you to this subject?
During the war, my dog was my support. I moved between cities, countries, and circumstances—and he was always by my side. While people and animals were losing their homes and loved ones, I deeply felt how vital it is to have a living being near you who offers love and loyalty. In my work, dogs are more than animals—they’re a metaphor for the human condition: vulnerable yet strong, deserving of care and protection.
You speak of these dogs as emotional healers. What role has art played in your own healing journey?
I kept seeing stories about animals during the war—so many left without homes or people. And the more I thought about it, the more I realized: animals don’t just need love, they can also be an incredible source of love and support. Even drawing them made me feel lighter. It was like creating my own little world, where someone kind and loyal is always nearby.
The phrase “love has no biography” is so powerful. Can you tell us more about what that means to you personally?
To me, this phrase is about unconditional love. When you truly love, you don’t choose based on looks, breed, or perfection. You simply feel ready to give warmth and care. Love doesn’t need a backstory — it just exists.
Many of your drawings feel deeply tender and intimate. What is your process when capturing that emotional depth?
I don’t set out to make something tender—I just draw what I feel. Being honest in the process is important to me. Sometimes it’s painful, sometimes it’s warm—but I always try to leave real emotions in the work.
You're based in Ukraine. How has your environment, especially in recent years, shaped or influenced your creative practice?
Everything changed after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia. I won’t pretend it’s easy — it’s emotionally and morally very challenging. Many people are going through a deep emotional crisis right now. That’s why, in my opinion, it’s so important to talk about love and remind each other that we can all find support.
What do you hope people take away with them after experiencing this series?
I hope people feel a bit of warmth and kindness after seeing the series. I want them to consider maybe getting a pet—not as a toy, but as a living soul that can offer support and healing.
