Ohla Syndanko, Artist Painter - Ukraine

“A singer sings songs, a writer writes stories, but for me it’s painting!

For the general public, copyright is often associated with the cinema, music and literature and we forget that copyright also affects painters.

In Ukraine, the general public shows great interest in painting and the work of visual artists.  An art market is being established and this great interest on the part of the public in visual arts is relaunching the issue of copyright in achieving the best possible protection for artists’ work, and in avoiding it being plagiarized and turned to negative ends.  Legislation which recognizes copyright is an excellent thing: it supports our rights and protects us in our work, as well as providing greater respect for an author and his work.  However, this right is a completely natural thing.  As soon as an object is touched and transformed, or created with our own hands, the feeling of being the owner of such a work emerges naturally, so who other than me would own the painting?

I therefore consider that copyright is an incontrovertible part of creativity; it encourages creation.  But, of course, my major motivation is passion and love for painting and the arts.

A link has always existed between me and a completed work.  It is not only an object but it is part of me, it is a personal experience.  My paintings exist to convey love and joy; to help the viewer to dream and to give a positive emotion.

In fact, painting follows me in life.  It is not something I chose … perhaps we chose each other.  Sometimes it is difficult to earn a living with that, sometimes it can be difficult to find inspiration but painting is … magical!  It is my job for life”.

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