A new art exhibition featuring the works of Ukrainian-Russian artist couple Nadeshda Streltsova and Dmitri Nayda opened in Hofbieber-Kleinsassen, Fulda district, with a traditional violin performance of the British march "Pomp and Circumstance." The exhibition, titled "Sources," showcases the couple's classical oil paintings that deeply explore themes of displacement, homesickness, and the search for belonging in their adopted homeland of Germany.
Both artists received their formal training at prestigious institutions in St. Petersburg, where Streltsova studied at the Art Academy while Nayda completed his studies there after initially beginning his education in Ukraine. It was in St. Petersburg where they met and became partners, subsequently leading a life split between Russia and Ukraine. Even during those earlier years, feelings of homesickness frequently emerged as they moved between their two homelands.
The ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine forced the couple to flee to Germany, where they now reside in the state of Thuringia. This latest displacement has rekindled intense feelings of longing for home, a sentiment that permeates their current artistic work. Both artists have created paintings specifically titled "Homesickness" that serve as powerful visual metaphors for their emotional state. Streltsova's oil painting depicts her looking out of a window toward the Thuringian town of Wasungen, while the window's reflection allegorically shows St. Petersburg, her beloved hometown. In Nayda's corresponding piece, he portrays himself behind a glass pane in a rose garden, with his absent partner Nadeshda appearing at the edge of the composition in a mirror reflection.
The exhibition demonstrates the artists' versatility and wide range of inspirations beyond their signature homesickness theme. Streltsova's portfolio includes classical landscapes, cityscapes, and vineyard scenes, as well as more intimate subjects such as ballerinas, a small dog playing in snow, and softly rendered floral dreamscapes. Nayda contributes a touching portrait of his mother and repeatedly emphasizes his Ukrainian hometown of Lviv, which he describes as "the source of his life." This diverse body of work reflects their commitment to classical oil painting techniques while addressing contemporary themes of displacement and identity.
As a special surprise for the local community of Kleinsassen, the artists created site-specific works during their summer visit for the village's 650th anniversary celebration. Invited by the Kunststation art center, Streltsova and Nayda set up their easels directly on the village streets to paint the characteristic entrance to the town and the distinctive church tower that defines the local skyline. These plein-air works demonstrate their commitment to engaging with their temporary home and documenting the places that have offered them refuge.
The couple explicitly acknowledges the artistic heritage of Kleinsassen as a historic artist village and positions themselves within its tradition of landscape painting. They describe nature as the primary source of their artistic inspiration, explaining that they find their creative impulses through direct engagement with the natural world. Beyond aesthetic considerations, their work carries a deeper message about environmental stewardship. "We want to convey to viewers that our world is beautiful but fragile, and we must protect and improve it," the artists stated.
Kunststation director Monika Ebertowski expressed particular enthusiasm about featuring classical oil painting in the gallery space, noting that "it's wonderful to see traditional oil painting in these rooms again, as this technique must not be lost." Her comments reflect broader concerns in the contemporary art world about maintaining connections to historical painting methods and techniques in an increasingly digital age.
The "Sources" exhibition will remain on display through November 23, running concurrently with three other autumn exhibitions at the Kunststation. Visitors can view the works Tuesday through Sunday from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM, with modified hours beginning October 26, when the gallery will be open Thursday through Sunday from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The exhibition offers viewers an opportunity to engage with powerful artistic responses to displacement, cultural identity, and the universal human experience of longing for home.
