Her hands work miracles, transforming thread into living canvases. Every stitch in her pieces is a story, inspired by the beauty of nature and a deep love for Ukraine. Nadiia Holovachuk is an Honoured Master of Folk Art of Ukraine, whose work is known far beyond her homeland. We met to talk about her journey, her sources of inspiration, and the mission she carries out through her creativity.
Nadiia Ivanivna, how did you first become interested in embroidery, and who was your first teacher or inspiration?
My love for embroidery originated in childhood, when I watched my relatives, who were master crafters. Curtains embroidered with hare peas still hang in my childhood home. But the real turning point came in 1988. I visited the Taras Shevchenko Museum in Kaniv, where I saw a portrait embroidered with satin stitch (glade). It impressed me so much that I stood there in silence for a long time. I owe immense gratitude to the late Lidiia Polishchuk—a person of great soul who instilled confidence in me that I would be able to do this. I also promised her that I would continue to embroider. I learned composition techniques from Lidiia Serhiivna, and her ikebana arrangements became the basis for later joint decisions that were transferred onto the canvas.
Do you have a favourite ornament or symbol that often reappears in your work?
I don’t embroider ornaments, but mostly draw floral compositions with a needle, using the magic of the artistic satin stitch (glade), where every thread is a stroke of light and shadow. This is my own floral world, embroidered with my soul. However, important symbols are always present in my pieces: for example, the ladybug (zhuchok-sonechko), which symbolizes my daughter. And, of course, the viburnum (kalyna) and sunflower (soniashnyk)—these are not just talismans, but living symbols of Ukraine that I carefully weave into my canvas.
How important is it for you to preserve the regional characteristics, and which ethnic symbols, in particular, do you strive to preserve in your work?
I believe that we have no right to forget who we are and where our roots lie. Therefore, it is crucial for me to preserve Ukrainian ethnicity through traditional cultural symbols. In my work, I strive to preserve, in particular, the viburnum and sunflower. I consider them not just talismans, but living symbols of Ukraine. Furthermore, I also weave in images that create our national identity: bread on the table, traditional dishes, national attire, mallows, wattle fences with pots on them, a thatched cottage, and others. They are vital today because they are an integral part of our identity and cultural code.
Do you work with techniques other than embroidery, and how do you see the role of the woman master artist in contemporary Ukrainian and European society?
My main technique is the artistic satin stitch (glade), which I have studied for many years. It is my way of creating. I believe that for a woman master artist, embroidery is not just a hobby, but a deep process of self-fulfillment, satisfaction, and inspiration that is unmatched. This need has become part of my life, because, as they say, the energy field of a woman embroiderer increases several times after two or three hours of work. Embroidery helps you feel better on an energetic level. I jokingly say that “I recharge my internal batteries with embroidery.”
This title was awarded to me in 2009 by a Decree of the President of Ukraine for a significant personal contribution to the development of Ukraine’s cultural heritage, high professional skill, and active participation in the Festival of Arts of Ukraine. This title became both a great source of pride and a high responsibility for me.
You have developed your own signature embroidery technique. What is unique about it, and how does it combine tradition with innovation?
The uniqueness of my artistic satin stitch lies in its versatility. What is the hardest part, you ask? Everything! How to create the pattern, consider the requirements of composition, what colour of fabric to use as the base, which thread colours… But most importantly—at what angle to place each stitch on the canvas so that it reflects light and reproduces volume. This is a constant process of working on myself, and I seek the answers independently. It’s no wonder I try to embroider only in daylight, because practice suggests that errors are otherwise inevitable.
You have won 9 international competitions. Which one was particularly significant for you and why?
All my victories were significant, as each one is recognition of Ukrainian art on the world stage. The series of victories won since 2023 is particularly important. Over the past couple of years, my works have received top awards in such magnificent cities as London (twice!), Madrid, Berlin, Paris, Tokyo, and Rome. These are not just my personal achievements, but confirmation that our culture is modern, valuable, and understandable to people all over the world.
You have organized over 20 traditional art festivals. Which ones do you consider the most successful, and what moments do you remember most?
Former Minister of Culture Vasyl Vovkun said that I always formed the Ukrainian cultural space through organizing festivals, and I completely agree with him. For me, these festivals are not just events, but a mission. They are an important part of cultural education and uniting the artistic community. Each festival had its own special moments, but I remember most clearly when I saw art come alive in the hands of young people, how it passes on traditions from generation to generation, creating a strong link between the past and the future. These moments inspired me to move forward and create.
What is your vision for the future of Ukrainian folk art in the global context?
I look to the future with great faith. I am convinced that Ukrainian folk art has huge potential in the global context. Our culture, our identity—this is a unique code that is interesting to the whole world today. My victories in international competitions prove that our culture is relevant, valuable, and understandable to people everywhere. I continue my journey not only to preserve traditions but also to “spark the sense of holiness, stillness, and serenity in human hearts in the darkest times.” This is our mission.
What inspires you to create new works today?
For almost 30 years, I have been inspired by the incredible beauty of the surrounding nature. This is my inexhaustible muse. It is flowers that impress me the most: their perfection, the play of light and shadow, the transition of colours. When I see sunbeams or simply a blooming mallow, I take up the needle again and again. For me, embroidery is a process of self-fulfillment and satisfaction that is incomparable. This is my internal necessity and source of strength.
