Polina Raiko (alternately spelled “Rayko”) didn’t start painting until she was 69 years old. After experiencing intense, subsequent life traumas, she picked up a paintbrush and began creating lush, colorful murals all over her home in southern Ukraine.
She only painted for six years, but her unique and beautiful paintings soon became part of the fiber of Ukrainian folk art. People from all over the world would visit Polina’s house to see her work. She never received formal art training, but her motifs and color palettes became a part of Ukraine’s artistic and cultural heritage.
The Destiny of Polina Raiko’s Work
Polina’s home and artwork are a beautiful story with a tragic ending.
Sadly, Polina’s masterpiece has been most likely destroyed due to Putin’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. On June 6, 2023, Russian forces deliberately destroyed the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant, causing an immense humanitarian and environmental disaster.
As of this writing, I believe the area of Oleshky is still occupied by Russian forces.
While I don’t believe anyone from outside the area has been able to go in and assess the damage done to Polina’s home, some photos did surface that showed evidence of flooding and destruction.
“Most likely, we will lose it…Her main and the only artwork was this house. We have lost her heritage and her physical presence,” art historian Oksana Semenik told The Guardian in June 2023.
Polina’s home may not be with us anymore, but her legacy lives on. Photos, videos, and other artwork inspired by Polina’s style are still with us. I think preserving the ephemera of Polina’s work is the least we can do.
Want to Learn More?
I am by no means an expert on Polina Raiko’s work. I’m linking the online resources I used to write this piece if you would like to learn more.
I found several photos of Polina’s murals on Spaces and a nice, comprehensive feature on Polina via DestiNations.
There’s a 2003 walk-through of the home with Polina herself that you can watch.
This story is based on a short feature I wrote for the Crochet Craft Club newsletter.
