Updates December 19, 2024

"The Worm Was Born": First Solo Art Exhibition of Nadiia Kushnir in Canada

Yesterday Marked the Conclusion of Nadia Kushnir’s Four-Day Art Exhibition in Ottawa

"The Worm Was Born": First Solo Art Exhibition of Nadiia Kushnir in Canada

It was a profound honor for our team to support Nadia Kushnir, also known as Nadjozna, in her first solo exhibition in Canada, hosted at Club SAW. The exhibition, titled The Worm Was Born: A Celebration of Life in Every Form, captured the imagination of attendees with its whimsical visuals and deeply reflective themes. The closing reception was an emotional evening filled with laughter, tears, and moments of shared connection as Nadia revealed the deeper meanings behind her work.

Many visitors saw their own stories in Nadia’s art, while others connected with her universal imagery of Ukrainian villages, green apple trees in backyard gardens, friends lost to war, and the emotional weight of forced migration.

Nadia Kushnir is a contemporary artist and illustrator renowned for her sense of humor and her distinctive naïve style. Born in Ukraine, she has gained recognition for her vibrant use of color and playful compositions, which often explore themes of nature, fantasy, and human experience. Her works have been featured in over 80 books and have earned her an international following.

Nadia’s accolades include the Best Illustrator Award in Ukraine (2018, Barabooka) and being named among Forbes Ukraine’s 30 Under 30. Her career includes multiple solo exhibitions, such as Khrobart (2024, Lviv) and Song of Falling(2011, Lviv), and participation in numerous group exhibitions and festivals across Ukraine and internationally. Her works have been celebrated for their ability to evoke genuine, raw emotions—honest, courageous, and unfiltered.

As American writer Richard Bledsoe once said:
“Great art explores the mysteries of human experience. [It] achieves universal understanding by honestly presenting the results of self-exploration.”

At a time when culture is often used to obscure truth, Nadia’s authentic and heartfelt art serves as a remedy. It reminds us of the simple, human values we fight to protect—values that have always posed a threat to “empires.”

We extend our deepest thanks to Nadia Kushnir for sharing her world with us and to artist-run SAW Centre for their generous support that made the hosting of this event at one of Ottawa’s best venues possible possible. Special thanks to Chrystia Chudczak, Diana Babii, Sofiya Kominko, and Sofiia Baranets for their invaluable organizational support, and to Galyna Kaplan for creating a video that beautifully captures the atmosphere of the exhibition.

Nadia Kushnir’s The Worm Was Born exhibition is a testament to the power of art to connect, inspire, and heal. It is a celebration of resilience, renewal, and the shared human experience.