The COVID-19 lockdowns unfortunately put a pause on my museum work, but led to the beginning of my journey as an independent artist. My calling took the form of a dyeing technique I had long been intrigued by: ecoprinting. Since this technique uses plants for printing, I made the conscious decision to rely primarily on the local flora in my works, so my projects are always a reflection of the location they were created in. This is when I launched a small sustainable brand Mimicry Clothing, upcycling clothing and textiles made out of natural materials to make one of a kind wearable art pieces.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, I have lived in Hadiach, Ukraine, southern Spain, Virginia, and now San Diego.  I have carried the ecoprinting technique and textile as my medium, and I have traveled with it across the ocean to the USA, exploring new ecosystems. It is comforting for me to see that the means by which people seek and interact with nature is largely unchanged across these diverse cultures. I believe that art and design can extend beyond consumer desires, and can serve as a catalyst for change, envisioning and shaping the future.