Zhanna Kadyrova: Sculpting Ukraine’s Memory in Stone and Tile

Zhanna Kadyrova: Sculpting Ukraine’s Memory in Stone and Tile

Zhanna Kadyrova, born in 1981 in Brovary, Ukraine, is a multidisciplinary artist whose work spans sculpture, installation, performance, and site-specific projects. A graduate of the Taras Shevchenko State Art School in Kyiv, she was a founding member of the Revolutionary Experimental Space (R.E.P.), an artist collective formed during Ukraine's Orange Revolution in 2004. Kadyrova's art is deeply rooted in the urban fabric and historical context of post-Soviet spaces, often utilizing materials like ceramic tiles, concrete, and stone to explore themes of memory, identity, and resilience.

Second Hand Series by Zhanna Kadyrova - ArtistRealm | Dedicated to the Arts

Second Hand: Weaving Histories Through Tiles

Initiated in 2014, Kadyrova's "Second Hand" series transforms reclaimed ceramic tiles from Soviet-era buildings into sculptural garments. These pieces, shaped into dresses, shirts, and other clothing items, are displayed on hangers or mannequins, evoking the human form and presence. The tiles, sourced from locations like the Darnitsky Silk Factory in Kyiv and the abandoned town of Poliske in the Chernobyl exclusion zone, carry the weight of history and collective memory. By repurposing these materials, Kadyrova comments on the transformation of societal structures and the remnants of past ideologies.

Zhanna Kadyrova Makes Ceramic Clothes with Her 'Second Hand' Series

Market: Commodifying Art and Memory

Between 2017 and 2019, Kadyrova developed the "Market" project, a site-specific installation replicating a traditional market stall. However, instead of fresh produce, the stall displays fruits and vegetables meticulously crafted from ceramic tiles, cement, and natural stone. This work critiques the commodification of art and the art market's dynamics, as Kadyrova sold these items by weight, equating the price to the local currency's value per gram. The "Market" installation challenges viewers to consider the value assigned to art and the intersection of commerce and creativity.

Biennale di Venezia| I mosaici di Zhanna Kadyrova — ARTBOOMS

Palianytsia: Bread as a Symbol of Resistance

In response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Kadyrova created the "Palianytsia" project. While taking refuge in the Transcarpathian region, she collected smooth river stones resembling the traditional Ukrainian bread, palianytsia—a word notoriously difficult for Russian speakers to pronounce, thus becoming a symbol of national identity and resistance. By slicing these stones to mimic loaves of bread, Kadyrova crafted sculptures that embody resilience and cultural pride. Proceeds from the sale of these works have supported humanitarian efforts in Ukraine

Zhanna Kadyrova: Palianytsia at Galleria Continua

Monument to a New Monument: Reflecting on Legacy

Kadyrova's 2009 work, "Monument to a New Monument," features a statue draped in a shroud-like form, constructed from concrete and ceramic tiles. This piece reflects on the role of monuments in society, questioning what and whom we choose to commemorate. By presenting a monument to a yet-to-be-determined subject, Kadyrova invites contemplation on historical narratives and the evolving nature of collective memory.

This may contain: there is a statue with an umbrella on it in the middle of a park area

Global Recognition and Exhibitions

Kadyrova's work has garnered international acclaim, with exhibitions at prestigious venues such as the Venice Biennale (2013, 2015, 2019, 2022), Centre Pompidou in Paris, and the Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw. In 2023, she held major retrospectives at Kunstverein Hannover and the PinchukArtCentre in Kyiv. Her 2024 exhibition, "Unexpected," at Galerie Rudolfinum in Prague, was recognized by Frieze Magazine as one of the top ten shows in Europe

Zhanna Kadyrova | Artist | Galleria Continua

Awards and Honors

Kadyrova's contributions to contemporary art have been acknowledged through numerous awards:

  • Kazimir Malevich Artist Award (2012)

  • Grand Prix of the Kyiv Sculpture Project (2012)

  • PinchukArtCentre Prize: Special Prize (2011), Main Prize (2013), Future Generation Art Prize Special Prize (2014)

  • Taras Shevchenko National Prize of Ukraine in Visual Art (2025), becoming the first woman in 20 years to receive this honor

  • Her Art Prize (2025), awarded by Marie Claire in partnership with Boucheron, celebrating groundbreaking female artists

Conclusion

Zhanna Kadyrova's art serves as a poignant exploration of Ukraine's socio-political landscape, intertwining personal narratives with collective history. Through her innovative use of materials and space, she challenges viewers to reflect on themes of transformation, resilience, and identity. Her work not only preserves the memory of past eras but also actively participates in the discourse surrounding Ukraine's present and future.

For more information on Zhanna Kadyrova's work and exhibitions, visit her official website.

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