Guardian of the Steppe

This mixed media painting from the Steppes series is a visual meditation on resilience, identity, and cultural memory. At its center lies the symbolic figure of Kozak Mamay, a legendary Ukrainian warrior-musician known for his calm strength, spiritual wisdom, and deep connection to the land.
Kozak Mamay is not just a historical image—he is a guardian of Ukrainian soul. Traditionally portrayed sitting under a tree with a bandura and a sabre, he represents the ideal of the freedom-loving Ukrainian spirit: peaceful but ready to defend what is sacred. In this work, his presence rises with the dawn over wheat fields and mountains, embodying the collective moral strength of Ukraine.
In today’s context—during the ongoing war against Russian aggression—Mamayi have become symbols of national dignity, courage, and unbreakable will. They stand as reminders that our cultural identity is rooted not only in history but in our ability to protect and regenerate it through each generation.
Crafted with textured acrylics and real dried grasses gathered from the land, the painting invites the viewer to connect with something timeless: the spirit of the land, the pulse of resistance, and the light of hope that always rises in the East.
Materials: Acrylic and dried grasses on canvas
Dimensions: 60 x 30 cm
Series: Steppes
Ready to hang | Signed by the artist