YELENA SINDYEYEVA

Künstlerin. Malerin. Kuratorin.

 

In the work of Yelena Sindyeyeva (Olena Leitner), life is proclaimed as the highest expression of the Divine essence. Her art rejects death — whether the death of culture, of art itself, or of the artist. She maintains a continuous visual dialogue with the legacy of modernism, balancing post-impressionism, meditative painting, and figurative abstraction. Her pieces create a sense of conscious pause — a poetic suspension of time, rooted in Sigmund Freud’s method of free association and the technique of automatic writing.

Inspired by the idea of the universal artist, Yelena works beyond the boundaries of a single medium or style. Her creative palette includes painting, drawing, iconography, and book illustration. Fearlessly blending techniques and approaches, she combines the refinement of neoclassicism, the expressiveness of impressionism, Eastern decorative motifs, and elements of folk art.

Yelena is academically trained in monumental art. She graduated from the National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture of Ukraine, specializing in monumental painting under the mentorship of Ukrainian muralist Oleksii Kozhekov. There, she delved deeply into anatomy, classical drawing, and composition, while mastering the techniques of sgraffito, stained glass, fresco, and mosaic.

Seeking to uncover the sacred foundations of art, Yelena studied icon painting in Kyiv’s iconographic workshops, and later traveled to Tobolsk — a spiritual center of Siberia — to study the Russian icon within the context of a theological seminary. Her knowledge of Church history, theology, and philosophy seamlessly transitioned into her secular work, where the art of gilding, layered color glazing, and pigment preparation became intrinsic elements of her unique visual language.

Color in Sindyeyeva’s work is not merely visual — it is emotional code. Her reds and greens resonate with depth and intensity, while bold combinations of purple, ultramarine, turquoise, and golden yellow evoke a sense of celebration and elevation, echoing the traditions of sacred art. Even in muted pastels, she maintains movement — her paintings pulse with energy, swirling color, and lines that open into spatial depth.

In her portraits, landscapes, and still lifes, the artist fuses the truth of nature with the illusion of the unseen world. Her decorative compositions incorporate ornamental motifs, folkloric imagery, and the fluid plasticity of Eastern patterns.

Figurative abstraction plays a central role in her practice — a synthesis of visual art and philosophical reflection. The core theme in her canvases is humanity’s striving for spiritual transformation. Her painting is not a literal narrative, but a journey inward. Sindyeyeva draws from esoteric studies, philosophy, and religious practices, viewing woman as a conduit to the subtle world. The feminine in her art is sacred, empowered with the ability to transmute matter and awaken spirit.

In the work Her works carry the influence of tantric teachings, where the body becomes a vessel for spiritual ascent. Symbols, allusions, dreams, and revelations are seamlessly woven into the fabric of her art. Her paintings offer a meditative space — an invitation to contemplate the essence of being.

Yet her art is free of anguish, pessimism, or despair. It is infused with light, the poetry of nature, and lyrical femininity. For Yelena, creativity is an act of mystical devotion — a way to unite with the Higher Self. Her art captivates through its mystery, depth, and sincerity.

The art of Yelena Sindyeyeva is a challenge to superficiality, a call to spiritual awakening, a place of encounter with the eternal. Exploring her work opens countless pathways into the depths of the human soul — and far beyond.

1984 - Born in Donetsk region, Ukraine. Currently lives and works in Karlsruhe, Germany and Bern, Switzerland.
Education:
2011 – 2017 – National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture (NAOMA), Kiev, Ukraine.
2015 – Postgraduate student Ph.D of National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture (NAOMA), (faculty of theory and arts), Kiev, Ukraine.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS (SELECTION):
2020 – Solo Art Exhibition, Business Centre «Haus Gryffenberg». Zurich, Switzerland 2019 – Solo Art exhibition, Cultural Centre «Rossotrudnichestvo». Beijing, China 
26.10.2023 – Solo exhibition in collaboration with the Gustav Mahler Foundation, celebrating the Austrian National Day at the Austrian Cultural Center in Milan GROUP EXHIBITIONS (SELECTION)
2022 – Vernissage, Gallery Das Art Institut and Quartier Kultur-Kaiser-Passage. Karlsruhe, Germany.
2022 – Der Lichtshtrahl, Galerie Das Art Institut. Karlsruhe, Germany.
2019 – Artvisitivka, Cityhall. Kyiv, Ukraine.
2019 – En plein air à Rybalsky. Lera Litvinova Gallery. Kyiv, Ukraine.
2019 – From Neman to Bug. Kochergine, Lithuania.
2019 – Art visit card exhibition, Kyiv City Hall. Kyiv, Ukraine
2018 – ART CODE 2018. LT100.Youth Alytus Biennial of young creators. Alytus, Lithuania 2018 – Hortobágyi Káplár Miklós Nemzetközi Művésztelep. Hortobágyi, Hungary
2018 – Biennale, exhibition hall of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine. Kyiv, Ukraine.
2018 – The best artist, Art Residency. Vinnytsia, Ukraine.
2017 – Kyiv Landscape, Museum of the History of Kyiv. Kyiv, Ukraine.
2015 – Women of Ukraine - artists, exhibition hall of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine. Kyiv, Ukraine.
2015 – Historical figures of the future, Art Museum. Cherkasy, Ukraine.
2015 – Real Ukrainians, exhibition hall of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine. Kyiv, Ukraine.
2015 – City on Stone. Taras Bulba Hotel Gallery. Kamyanets-Podilsky, Ukraine.
2015 – Silver Easel, Brody Art Gallery. Uzhhorod, Ukraine.
2014 – Women in Art Space, White World Gallery. Kyiv, Ukraine.
2014 – Picturesque Ukraine, Cherkasy Art Museum. Cherkasy, Ukraine.
2013 – Female Portrait, National Union of Artists of Ukraine. Kyiv, Ukraine.
2013 – Green Wave, Artist Gallery. Kyiv, Ukraine.
2012 – Artist's Day, exhibition hall of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine. Kyiv, Ukraine.
2012 – Art exhibition, Ujazdow Castle. Warsaw, Poland
2009 – Christmas icon exhibition, Gallery of Sofia Kyivska. Kyiv, Ukraine