Spanish Diaries
22 March - 05 May 2025
Introduction
’”Spanish Diaries” is the given name of the new art exhibition showcasing painting and ceramics of the two
emigres to the island – Julie Antonyuk and Anastasia Belous. The new exciting show is a visual dialogue
between two friends, and classmates in the past, both from Kyiv, and both now calling Mallorca their home.
The new exhibition showcases the recent work of the two friends that they created after arriving on the
island. It explores their personal connections to the Mediterranean island, the local culture, the Spanish
heritage, and emotions experienced here. Through their individual artistic lenses, they tell the two different
stories of their life in Mallorca and in Spain.
The exhibition “Spanish Diaries” shows about 25 works altogether – hand made and wood fired ceramics by
Julie Antonyuk, and figurative oil paintings by Anastasia Belous.
Through Julie’s handcrafted ceramics, the tactile beauty of the Mediterranean comes to life—earthy clay
vessels, sculptural forms, and intricate glazes echo the timeless craftsmanship of the region.
The “Naked Ceramics” explores the raw, unadorned essence of clay, celebrating its natural beauty and
transformative potential. Through a traditional approach to hand- building and pit firing, this exhibition delves
into themes of nature, emotions, and the healing journey, capturing the rebirth and renaissance inherent in
the creative process.
Each piece is a reflection of the artist’s personal story-a dialogue between the earth and the self. The minimalistic, organic forms allow the clay’s natural textures and imperfections to emerge, creating a tactile experience that invites the viewer to connect with the material in its most authentic form. The exposed surfaces, free from glaze or heavy decoration, serve as a metaphor for vulnerability, healing, and the
emotional depth of creation.
Meanwhile Anastasia’s paintings create a colourful backdrop to the ‘naked’ ceramic pieces. These canvases exist in the surrealist domain often creating bridges between the Spanish art history, the natural elements like sun, wind and the sand, as well as dream and the subconscious. It’s a very personal take on the life on
the island, the story that has been created over several month, one step at a time, or as the local say poc-apoc.
This exhibition is a visual and sensory diary, where each piece tells a story—of friendship, travel, nostalgia,
and the profound connection between art and home. Visitors are invited to step into this shared journey, to
feel the warmth of the sun on canvas and in clay, to see the new traditions growing out of the traditional
heritage, and to find their own meaning.
