Tania Kugai was born in 1968 in Poltava, now lives and works in Kiev. Since 1993 she is a member of The National Union of Artists of Ukraine. She graduated from The National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture in 1993 where studied in the studio of book design and illustration guided by professors V. Chebanik and G. Galinska. The artist works in book design, computer graphic, easel and monumental painting. Since 1989 she is active in exhibitions. Tania's creative works are kept in private collections in Ukraine and abroad. While making use of various artistic subjects and themes: portraits, still-lives, figurative compositions, the author in her creative works achieves the united energyc mood, much because she herself is a fire sign of horoscope.

The guarantee of artist's success lies in the way never choose the goal of liking by onlooker but follow the conception of author's world vision. Ardent passion of deep colors or, in opposite, ascetic and laconic palette, usage of expressive compositional means favor the interesting presentation of artistic concept. Utterly distinctive emitting energyc light, the canvas rightfully capture the attention of a spectator, make him stand steel concentrated, almost hipnotized with the immense magnetism of the art pieces. The works of contemporary Ukrainian woman artist Tania Kugai demonstrate a high level of professionalism and skills, declaring about creative potential and exceptional talent of their author.

Tania Kugai finds her own way to master the onlooker's interest not only through conquering colour and rhythm combinations but also in symbolic and imagery allegories. Her painting like a fire has numerous faces and changes continuously. It can be a flame of colours on the autumn leaves in the picture "Maple Waltz", or a fireplace warm which is symbolized by tender speckle cats and birds. Many heroes of her pictures — the fairy-tale lions, gryphones, firebirds and other magic creatures are associated by our imagination with flame. They are our guides to the world of fire, being at the same time the mascots against his ferocious restlessness. They beside inhabitants of air, earth and water, accompany a human along dangerous paths of virgin "Primitive Wood" or live the own mystical life — gathering beside the mysterious "Spring of Harmony", traveling by branches of the symbolic "Tree of Life", singing the hymn to the beauty of unexplained terrestrial, celestial and undersea worlds "The Song of the Firebird", "Amusement with the Sea Monsters", the series "Mosaics of the Ocean".

In her pieces an important place is taken by the both common symbols and decorative structures, which we know from ancient times and the novice ones that the author invents. Among her favorite personages and objects are sensual maids of old times and future: "Girl with Black Fish", "Halfs of Paradise Apple", "Sophia"; semireal corners of the city views "Old Kiev", "The Street of Memories"; romantic still-lives with cherries, pomergranates and tulips. Fragrant flowers and ripe fruit that are main in sophisticated still-lives also become organic decorative elements of figurative compositions. Sweet-scented buds and fruits as if they are lighting everything around with sunshine.

Distinctively outlined nude female bodies, harmoniously depicted in the bright whirl, possessing magic powers of charm and attractiveness, are able to oppose against the elements of destruction and chaos the glorious image-symbol of eternal love and continuation of life: "Walking with Gryphons", "Summer Wind", "Riding On Coelacanth". The accordance of sensual female images with enigmatic prehistorio-fantastical creatures and landscapes generates the mystico-erotic mood.

The way which Tania works can be brightly illustrated by the words of famous atrist Henri Matisse. "Expression does not consist of the passions mirrored upon a human face or betrayed by a violent gesture. The whole arrangement of the picture is expression. The place occupied by figures or objects, the empty spaces around them, the proportions — everything plays a part. Composition is the art of arranging in a decorative manner the various elements at the painter's disposal for the expression of his feelings. In a picture every part will be visible and will play the role conferred upon it, be it principal or secondary. All that is not useful in the picture is detrimental".

Pieces of Tania Kugai are genuine festival of art. The artisan part of her creative work — hours of hard exhausting labour seems to be unreal for the artist. Only joy and inspiration are left instead. Feeling of flight rush and masterly lightness simultaneously with compositional finity and groundness are the features of all artworks. In her creativeness she is inventive, brave and sophisticated. It is characteristic for Tania to turn to wonder everything that she touches upon in her author's work. Objects and phenomena unexpectedly show another, real artistic essence that is exiting and fantastic.

Art Exhibitions

2006		Exhibition-project "The Crossroad of Emotions 2" Actor's House. Kiev. Ukraine.
2006		Exhibition-project "The Crossroad of Emotions 1" "Dim Mikoly" gallery. Kiev. Ukraine.
2005		Participation in the Exhibition to the Day of St. Mikolay Actor's House. Kiev. Ukraine.
2004		Personal Exhibition "The Sign of Fire" "Gryphone" gallery. Kiev. Ukraine.
2004		Exhibition of works of Ukrainian women-artists Art Gallery of Kiev Union of Artists "Mystets". Kiev. Ukraine.
2003		Exhibition "Three Visions" "Gryphone" gallery. Kiev. Ukraine.
2002		Exhibition-auction of contemporary Ukrainian artists' works Ukrainian Stock Market of Energetic Resources. Kiev. Ukraine.
2002		Exhibition of artworks "Polyakov and Lowe" gallery. Manchester. Britain.
2001		Participation in Edinburg Internet Festival
1998		Exhibition of Ukrainian artists' works Exhibition Hall of The National Union of Artists of Ukraine. Artist's House. Kiev. Ukraine.
1998		Exhibition "Kaleidoscope" Museum of Book and Printing. Lavra. Kiev. Ukraine.
1998		Exhibition of works of "Universitet" gallery artists Exhibition Hall of The National University named after T. Shevchenko. Kiev. Ukraine.
1998		Exhibition of works of The National Union of Artists of Ukraine members Exhibition Hall of The National Union of Artists of Ukraine. Artist's House. Kiev. Ukraine.
1998		Exhibition of Portrait Art Gallery of Kiev Union of Artists "Mystets". Kiev. Ukraine.
1997		Exhibition "Computer Graphic, Technique and Art" Art Gallery named after G. Sinitsa. National Technical University. Kiev. Ukraine.
1994		Republican Spring Art Exhibition Art Gallery of Kiev Union of Artists "Mystets". Kiev. Ukraine.
1993		Exhibition of graduates of The National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture Palace of Arts "Ukrainian House". Kiev. Ukraine.
1993		Exhibition-auction of students' works of The National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture Munich. Germany.
1989		Republican Exhibition of book illustration Exhibition Hall of The National Union of Artists of Ukraine. Artist's House. Kiev. Ukraine.