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“Rondiak’s creativity cuts the cloth of a new absolute beauty with a redemptive quality that clearly understands the important healing role of art and the psyche for future generations.”
ABOUT
BIO
Ola Rondiak’s paintings stem from her family’s experiences living in Ukraine during the historical events of WWII, Stalin’s Iron Curtain, the Orange Revolution in 2004 and the Revolution of Dignity in 2014. These events shaped Ola Rondiak’s world view. Emotional experiences surface in her artworks as her own history intertwines with Ukrainian history and tradition, preparing the viewer with a rare "contemporary art with a historical conscience." As stated by Kathrine Page (Delaware Contemporary Museum), Rondiak “harvests a bold new, deeply personal prototype emblematic of feminine tenacity stitched in truth through the thread of her own story. Rondiak’s creativity cuts the cloth of a new absolute beauty with a redemptive quality that clearly understands the important healing role of art and the psyche for future generations.” The female image looms large, and for Ola Rondiak, the female portrait underpins the terrain for truth and dignity on her canvases and installations. "Her large ultra-flat paintings derived from Byzantine medieval mural painting offer a local shared symbology imbued with historical reference, made contemporary by the use of Post-Modernist techniques." (Juan Puntes, Whitebox, NYC)
Her contemporary "Motanka" sculptures, inspired by ancient Ukrainian rag dolls, serve as a talisman for good health, fortune, and healing. Rondiak's Neo-Pop sculptures, made from her children's clothing covered with plaster of paris and old signs or homework papers, are a testament to better times, a notion of passing time and morphing histories.
Rondiak earned her BS degree at Hunter College and later her M.Ed when she worked as a psychotherapist. Her work has been featured in solo exhibitions internationally, most recently with Misto Camp at Burning Man in Black Rock City (2024), The Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the United Nations in NYC (2023-present), as well as Tokyo, Kyoto, and Hiroshima, Japan (2024).
Prior solo exhibits include the Maidan Museum and RA Gallery in Kyiv, Ukraine, The Shevchenko National Museum and The National Museum of Decorative Art in Kaniv, Ukraine, the Honchar Museum in Kyiv, US Embassy in Kyiv and Tri--Mission Art Gallery in the American Embassy in Rome, Italy, Dzyga Gallery in Lviv, Ukraine, The Ukrainian Institute of America in NYC, the Delaware Contemporary Museum in Wilmington, DE, as well as The Ukrainian National Museums in Cleveland and Chicago. Multiple group exhibitions include The International Sculpture Biennale at The National Conservation Area of St. Sofia in Kyiv (2024), Art Miami, Ethan Cohen Gallery (2024), Volta Art Fair in Basel, Switzerland and NYC (2024), Art Ukraine Gallery, Kyiv (2023-present), Institute for Immigration Studies at Barry University in Miami (2023-24), Nepenthe Gallery, VA (2023-present), Context Art Miami (2018 - 2023), Aqua Art Miami (2023), Affordable Art Fair Singapore and Paris (2023), Palm Beach Art & Contemporary (2023), Los Angeles Art Show (2023), Art Market Hamptons (2022), and Hudson River Museum (2020).
In 2020 her simultaneous US-Ukraine exhibit "Metempsychosis" incorporated a bi-continental panel discussion in The Revolution of Dignity Museum (Kyiv) and WhiteBox-Harlem (NYC) transmitted in real time via web stream hosted by The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America.
Rondiak’s work is part of a permanent collection of The Revolution of Dignity Museum in Kyiv, Ukraine, The Ukrainian Embassy in Bern Switzerland, Shevchenko Museum & National Museum of Decorative Arts in Kaniv, Ukraine, Ukrainian Embassy in Paris, Hudson River Museum in New York, as well as several Ambassadors and private collectors. Rondiak’s landmark painted mural in the historic district of Kyiv, Ukraine, is a prominent part of Kyiv’s Street Art explosion and her interactive “Guardian” Motanka sculpture is exhibited with The Maidan Museum in the center of Kyiv.
“My grandmother's story greatly influences my work...”
In 1943-1944, during the second Russian invasion of Ukraine in WWII, Ukrainian intellectuals and nationalists, Ola Rondiak’s grandfather among them, were forced to flee from their homeland to Western Europe or face certain death at the hands of Stalin’s secret service (NKVD). A sympathetic Russian soldier warned Ola’s grandfather of his imminent arrest and he set out on foot, with his daughter Maria, Ola’s mother (then eleven-years-old) for western Europe. His wife Paraskevia Michniak, Ola Rondiak’s maternal grandmother, stayed behind with their other daughter who was ill and immobile. The plan was for the family to reunite later. The reunion never happened. The daughter, Ola’s aunt and namesake, never recovered and passed away in Kolomiya, Ukraine in 1944. On March 28th, 1947, Paraskevia was arrested by the NKVD, charged under Statute 20.54.1.A “Assisting the Ukrainian Partisan Army (UPA)” and sentenced by a military tribunal to 25 years of hard labor at the Women’s Strict Regime Prison in Mordovia, Russia. There was no trial, no court, and no judge.
While in prison, at great personal risk, Paraskevia began embroidering religious icons at night, by the light of the northern latitudes. She used cloth and threads from her clothes and fish bones for needles. In 1953 Stalin died, and in 1956 Nikita Khrushchev granted amnesty to political prisoners who were victims of Stalin’s repressions. Paraskevia received her “Certificate of Rehabilitation” on July 2nd, 1956 and smuggled the embroidered icons (which were strictly forbidden by Soviet authorities) out of the prison by sewing them into her clothes. Unable to join her family in America due to the Iron Curtain, she returned to Kolomiya, Ukraine after which a written (albeit censored) trans-Atlantic correspondence began with Ola’s grandfather and mother. In the late sixties, an American tourist successfully smuggled the embroideries to her family in the west. Paraskevia passed away in 1975. She was well-known for her sewing, drawing, embroidering, and traditional cooking skills. This is only one story of millions of displaced, imprisoned, and repressed Ukrainians in WWII.
Since independence in 1991, Ukrainians have struggled to fight the forces of corruption and Russian influence. Ola Rondiak witnessed the Orange Revolution (2004) and the Revolution of Dignity (2014) first hand. Her collage “Maty Revolution”, a symbolic completion of her grandmother’s partially completed prison embroidery, captures the struggle of Ukrainians to move towards European values of openness and democracy in the face of a tyrannical regime.
“Leaving Home” (2022), watercolor and pencil on paper, 8.5 x 11 in.
Left: One of Paraskevia’s unfinished embroideries from the gulag.
Right: “Maty Revolution” (2013), collage on canvas, 27.55 x 35.43 in.
CURRICULUM VITAE
Ola Rondiak
Born 1966, Cleveland, Ohio
Education
1994
M.Ed. Clinical Psychology, Cleveland State University, Ohio
1989
B.A. Psychology & Education, Hunter College, New York
1986 & 1988
Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute. Harvard University. Cambridge, Massachusetts
Honors
2022
Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art recognizes artist Ola Rondiak for significant contributions to cultural diplomacy and promoting Ukraine to the world through her art.
Select Solo Exhibitions
2025
Violence Against Women, Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the United Nations, New York City
2024
Motankas, Art Miami, Ethan Cohen Gallery, Miami, FL, U.S.
Sun, Sand, Fire Motankas, Burning Man - Misto Camp, Black Rock City, Nevada, USA
Unseen Hands, Gallery of Protest Art National Museum of The Revolution of Dignity, Kyiv, Ukraine
Voice of Prayer, Ninna-Ji Temple, Kyoto, Japan
Voice of Prayer, Kayadera Temple, Tokyo, Japan
Voice of Prayer, Daisho-in Temple, Hiroshima, Japan
2023
It is Within, John William Gallery, Online Exhibition
Cultural Front Installation, Volta Art Show, New York City
Motanka Army, Art Ukraine Galley, Kyiv, Ukraine
Overcoming, Hercules Atrium, Wilmington, DE
Motanka Healing Room, The Ukrainian Institute, New York City
2022
Through the Eyes of its Women, Ukraine House, Washington, DC
Mind Over Matter, Redux, John William Gallery, Wilmington, DE
Ola Rondiak: Women’s History, a Hundred Years in Ukraine, The Gallery o.d.o., New York, NY
2021
Facing, Vozianov Studio, Kyiv, Ukraine
Committed, John William Gallery, Wilmington, DE
2020
Mind Over Matter, MetroQuadro Gallery, Miami, FL
Metempsychosis, Revolution of Dignity Museum / Museum of Kyiv History, Kyiv, Ukraine
2019
Metempsychosis, WhiteBox Harlem, New York City
One Nation Independent, Ukrainian Cultural Center, Los Angeles, California
Of Evocation and Resemblance, Gallery 83, Kyiv, Ukraine
All the Same?, Taras Shevchenko Museum, Kaniv Ukraine
All the Same?, Museum of National Decorative Arts, Kaniv, Ukraine
All the Same?, Gallery RA, Kyiv, Ukraine
Days of Ukrainian Culture in Switzerland, Bern, Switzerland
2018
Rebel Ukraine, Pall Mall, London, UK
Identity Interrupted, Honchar Museum, Kyiv, Ukraine
Identity Interrupted, Dzyga Gallery, Lviv, Ukraine
Identity Interrupted, Tri-Mission Art Gallery, US Embassy, Rome, Italy
Identity Interrupted, Ukrainian Institute of America, NY, NY
Identity Interrupted, Tauvers Gallery International, Kyiv, UA
2017
Behind the Lines, Zorya Fine Arts Gallery , Greenwich, CT
More than Ukraine, Kyiv Fortress Gallery, Kyiv UA
Behind the Lines, The Delaware Contemporary, Wilmington, DE
Motanka, Mystetskyi Arsenal, Kyiv UA
Vinok, Ambassador's Residence, Berlin, Germany
2016
Vinok, Ukrainian National Museum, Chicago
Berehynia, Stage Background, Odesa Opera House, Odesa
Vinok, Consulate of Ukraine, Munich, Germany
Vinok, Nymphenburg Castle, Munich
Art Vaccination, Cultural Diplomacy, Vozianov Studio, Kyiv
Mural - Art United Us Kyiv Project, Mural on Wall of Borisohlibska 10a, Kyiv
Vinok, America House, Kyiv
2015
Vinok, Ukrainian Museum & Archives, Cleveland
Vinok, Ukrainian Educational & Cultural Center, Philadelphia
2014
Revolution of Dignity, US Embassy, Kyiv
Images of Maidan, Fulbright Gallery, Kyiv
Revolution Women, Porcelain, Kyiv
2013
50 Women, Gordon Residence, Kyiv
2007
Dolls, Kyiv International School, Kyiv
2006
Saving My Marriage, The Castle, Fertorakos, Hungary
Passenger, RA Gallery, Kyiv
2005
Conversation With a Dream, RA Gallery, Kyiv
Bride, The Castle, Fertorakos, Hungary
TAK! Orange Revolution, Pavlo Tychyna Museum, Kyiv
Select Group Exhibitions
2025
Generations of War, Voivodeship Public Library, Krakow, Poland
The Age of Aquarius Art Show, Butler Art Center and Gallery, PA, U.S.
World of Women, Odesa State Economic University, Odesa, Ukraine
2024
Art Wins The War, Sheraton Milano San Siro, Milan, Italy
Volta Art Fair, Ukrainian Pavilion, Chelsea, New York
Life Line, International Biennale, Open Air Sculpture, National Conservation Area St. Sophia of Kyiv, Ukraine
Volta Art Fair Basel, Ethan Cohen Gallery, Basel, Switzerland
Generations of War, Museum Cavaleridze, Kyiv, Ukraine
Shalene, Art Gallery Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
Memorias Razonadas, Institute for Immigration Studies, Barry University, Miami, FL
Generations of War, Maloui UA International Art Festival, Kyiv, Ukraine
2023
Context Art Miami, John William Gallery, Miami, FL
Aqua Art Miami, Alessandro Berni Gallery, Miami, FL
Allegory of Strength, Modern Art Research Institute of Ukrainian Academy of Arts, Kyiv, Ukraine
Memorias Razonadas, Institute for Immigration Studies, Barry University, Miami, FL
Affordable Art Fair Singapore, Alessandro Berni Gallery, Singapore
Magical Worlds, G-Gallery, New York, New York
Affordable Art Fair, Galeria Gaudi, Paris, France
Clio Art Fair, New York, New York
Bitter Sweet, Tenri Cultural Institute, New York, New York
Stepping into a World, Gallery Max, Soho, New York
Pop-Up Fine Art Gallery, Nepenthe Gallery, Old Town Alexandria, VA
Ukrainian Mythology, Folklore and Legend, Ukrainian American Archives and Museum, Detroit, MI
Art Against Violence, VitaUKR Civil Society Organization, Milan, Italy
Volta Art Show, Alessandro Berni Gallery, New York City
Shalene, Art Ukraine Gallery, Kyiv, Ukraine
Los Angeles Art Show, John William Gallery, Los Angeles
Sojourner, Sojourner Gallery, New York City
Art Wins the War, Lviv Polytechnic National University, Lviv, Ukraine
Art Palm Beach and Contemporary, John William Gallery, Palm Beach, Florida
Material Improvisations, John William Gallery
Ode to A Butterfly, Ukrainian Institute, New York City
Palm Beach Art + Contemporary, Palm Beach, Florida
2022
Context Art Miami, John William Gallery, Miami
Hearts, Christine Frechard Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA
Art Market Hamptons, John William Gallery, Alessandro Berni Gallery, Hamptons, NY
Colors of Change, Online Exhibit, Art Dealer Street
Festival of International Contemporary Art, Gaudi Gallery Marbella, Spain
”Mriya” Art Mission Dream NFT, Online
Art for Ukraine, Avant Gallery, Palm Beach Modern and Contemporary, West Palm Beach
Palm Beach Modern and Contemporary, John William Gallery, West Palm Beach
All for Ukraine, All for Victory, All Together We Will Win, Tenri Gallery, New York
Sending Love: Ukraine Crisis Relief Benefit Exhibition, Keystone Art Space, Los Angeles
Dante, Modern Art Research Institute of the National Academy of Arts of Ukraine, Kyiv
2021
Context Art Miami, John William Gallery, Miami
Dante, Ukrainian Art in Italy, Ravenna Art Gallery, Ravenna, Italy By virtue or despite of…, Tenri Gallery, New York
Art Against Violence, Modern Art Research Institute, Kyiv, Ukraine
Vessel Invitational: Revisioning the Receptacle, The Delaware Contemporary
Out & About, Ukrainian Contemporary Women's Art Fest, Modern Art Research Institute, Kyiv, Ukraine
Femininity, Spaces Maidan Plaza, Kyiv, Ukraine
2020
Women To The Fore, Hudson River Museum, New York
Who, If Not You?, Ornament Art Space, Kyiv, Ukraine
Ukrainian Art Week, Bruges, Belgium
2019
Context Art Miami, John William Gallery, Miami
Genesis, Dancing House Gallery, Prague, Czech Republic
With Ukraine in Our Hearts: Roots, Paths, Future, Ukrainian Cultural Center, Paris, France
Dialogues of Imagination, Tenri Gallery, New York City
Wearable Art Soiree, High Museum, Atlanta, Georgia
Collage Now, Denise Bibro Fine Art, New York City
2018
Context Art Miami, Tauvers Gallery, Miami
CLIO, Art Fair, New York City
RAW, Atlanta, Georgia
Conception Art Show, New York City (Award for Excellence)
Vyshyvanka Day, Mystetskiy Arsenal, Kyiv
Rituals & Identity, Ann Street Gallery, Newburgh, New York
2017
RAW, Brooklyn Night Bazaar, Brooklyn, New York
More than Ukraine, Fortress Gallery, Kyiv
2015
IWCK, Hilton Hotel, Kyiv
KIS, Radisson Hotel, Kyiv
A Portrait, Gallery Different, Kyiv
2014
IWCK, Intercontinental Hotel, Kyiv
2007
Marisol & Friends, Pavlo Tychyna Museum, Kyiv
2006
Reko & Friends, Pavlo Tychyna Museum, Kyiv
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