Kashshai Olha

Member of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine.

Olha Kashshai was born on 8 October 1983 in Uzhhorod, Transcarpathia. She was raised in an artistic atmosphere of the family of the unsurpassed master of the Carpathian landscape – the People's Artist of Ukraine Anton Kashshai. Since high school, the girl, however, was interested in jurisprudence and got a law degree. Nonetheless, her vocation prevailed and led the future artist to the creative studio of her grandfather. This spontaneity, as well as an irresistible desire to find the inner Self and to free up her natural talent, opened her way to art.

Undoubtedly, the artist's outlook was formed through the comprehension of the works of her grandfather Anton Kashshai as well as other Transcarpathian landscapists. But Olha has been looking for her own creative path.

Since 2010, her works have been often presented at all-Ukrainian, regional and youth exhibitions. In 2012, she graduated from the Transcarpathian Art Institute. Being a member of the Youth Association of the Transcarpathian Organization of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine and since 2017 –  of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine, for a short period of time the author has organically joined the art movement with her own understanding of the contemporary Transcarpathian school of painting.

In her review, a PhD. in History of Arts, an artist Odarka Dolhosh-Sopko notes: “With each public presentation, Olha’s paintings get a new development in the compositional, colourful and technical performance. In particular, one can see it on her canvases “Old Village”, “Irises”, “Bouquet”, “Winter Motif”. The diverse themes of Olha Kashshai's works testify to the constant creative search, but still, her favourite genres are landscape and still life. Dynamic compositional developments and original colour palette with certain features of watercolour transparency emphasize its unique style.”

Olha herself admits that her inspiration comes from nature. She also likes going to the plein air at any time of a year. The artist creates fantasy-type, full of light still lifes as well. 

In December 2017, the artist took part in the All-Ukrainian Triennale of Painting. She was one of the winners in the Second All-Ukrainian Exhibition of Visual Art at the National Academy of Arts of Ukraine. She also demonstrated her “author's studio” on Facebook. In March 2018, her “Spring Bouquet” was presented at the international project in New York ARTBOX.PROJECT NEW YORK 1.0.

2018 was marked by several personal and joint exhibitions, one of which, entitled “Infinity of Evolution. Anton Kashshai and Olha Kashshai”, presented the works of the classic Anton Kashshai as well as the works of his granddaughter Olha Kashshai, who tries to be a worthy follower of the famous painter.