e-Directory of Ukrainian Women Success Stories AUDIO-VISUAL ARTS
Through the Lens of Resilience, France
Background
UA woman arrived in France with just her camera equipment and a suitcase. Her prior experience as a professional photographer allowed her to quickly start working. Her first client was a friend of a friend who wanted a photo session on the streets of Paris. Word spread quickly, and soon UA woman’s client base – mostly Ukrainian migrants and tourists – began to grow. She developed a unique niche: emotional, story-driven portrait photography in iconic and hidden corners of Paris. Her sessions often captured meaningful reunions between families separated by war or migration. UA woman promotes her work primarily through Instagram, where she shares both her photographs and practical tips about life in Paris. Her blog features lesser-known locations, cultural highlights, and useful advice for newcomers. Her biggest professional setback came when her photography equipment – worth over €5,000 – was stolen in a Paris café. Instead of giving up, she rebuilt her business thanks to the generosity of a loyal client who prepaid for several future sessions. This act of solidarity symbolized the strong community connections UA woman had built.
The Business Journey
Since choosing art as her life’s mission, Iryna has organized around 60 exhibitions in Ukraine, Europe, the USA, and China. Her works have appeared at major contemporary art auctions in London and New York, and in institutions such as the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. Some of her paintings are now part of prestigious private collections, including those of Andy Warhol’s family.
In December 2019, her work ‘Rockefeller’s Piggy Bank’ sold at a charity auction for 800,000 UAH (about €20,000), funding equipment for a children’s oncology hospital. Over the past two years, she has raised more than one million UAH for charitable causes. Step by step, through exhibitions, international contacts, and determination, she became not just an artist but also a cultural diplomat for Ukraine.
The UA woman says that many years ago she learned to paint through creating portraits of Johnny Depp. At that time, painting was only a hobby alongside a very different professional life: she lectured at a university, worked as a banker, led various companies, and was even involved in politics. She chose Depp as a subject because his on-screen image differs greatly from his real-life appearance, which challenged her to capture not just his looks but also his emotions and energy.
She later attended a concert in Munich where he was performing and saw him up close, which inspired another portrait. After she published this work, it was picked up by an American publishing house, leading to further exhibitions in the United States. Eventually, Johnny Depp’s friends saw the painting and contacted her, saying it was remarkable because it truly captured his essence – something they felt no other portrait had done.
Through this, they were introduced, and they met several times. She describes him as modest, thoughtful, and deeply interesting, noting that he is actively involved in charity work without ever drawing attention to it. She also mentions his love for painting, playing the guitar, and singing. From the moment she painted her first portrait of him to their eventual meeting, twenty years had passed.
Achievements and Impact
– Established a successful freelance photography business in Paris within months of relocation.
– Built a loyal international clientele, with over 90% of her customers being Ukrainians living in or visiting France.
– Created a popular Instagram blog combining art, travel, and community storytelling.
– Provided emotional support through her art, documenting the resilience and reunions of Ukrainian families.
– Contributed to the positive image of Ukrainian women entrepreneurs in the European creative scene.
UA woman’s story demonstrates how creativity and adaptability can transform displacement into opportunity. Through her photography, she preserves the memories of those forced to start a new – while building her own path toward stability and artistic growth.
Media Sources of the Story
Based on publicly available interviews and reports.
Self-reflection questions
Now let’s reflect on the story. Read the following questions and try answering it.
- Which part of UA woman’s journey do you find most inspiring?
- What challenges faced by displaced women do you recognize in her story?
- How would you have dealt with losing essential work equipment abroad?
- Which of UA woman’s strategies – community networking, social media, or resilience – do you find most effective?
- Which skills (creativity, communication, adaptability) played the biggest role in her success?
Self-check questions
Read each of the 5 questions carefully and select the best answer from the options provided.