Ukrainian artist Nataliia Kononova finds solace in painting Ottawa's Hog's Back Falls (2025)

A new exhibition at Carleton University showcases the vibrant artwork of a Ukrainian journalist who finds inspiration in the natural beauty of Ottawa, particularly the fast-moving waters of Prince of Wales Falls at Hog’s Back Park.

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Nataliia Kononova and her husband, Illia Kononova, a sociology professor, had recently bought a house in Bakhmut, Ukraine, when Russia invaded in February 2022, destroying their home and Nataliia’s entire collection of art. The university where Illia worked was also attacked.

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The Scholars at Risk program at Carleton University took Illia under its wing, and the couple was able to relocate to Ottawa two years ago under the Canada-Ukraine Emergency Travel Program. Nataliia continues to write articles about the war, while he carries on with his research into its displacement effects.

Living near Hog’s Back Park, they started going for walks by the falls for stress relief, taking a break from the difficult subject matter they both faced.

“When we need to rest and reboot, we will go to the waterfalls,” Nataliia said in an interview, picking her English words with care. “This reboot is very important for us. This water is very strong and very fast, and it is very beautiful.”

Her mind’s eye saw faces in the turbulent waters, and she began to paint landscapes that included the figments of her imagination. The colourful acrylic paintings incorporate images of flowers, birds, people and other creatures, creating a fanciful and impressionistic perspective of familiar landmarks in Ottawa, such as Hog’s Back and Dow’s Lake.

“The first thing that caught our eye is that Canada has a wonderful culture of urban space, where nature lives next to people, and animals are not at all afraid of people, and parks and squares are tightly integrated into the urban space,” Nataliia said in a written statement.

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Norah Vollmer, a Carleton administrator and founding member of Scholars at Risk, spotted the paintings during a dinner at the Kononovas’ home.

“It’s a riot of colours. That really struck me,” Vollmer recalled.

“You should have an exhibit,” she added, then found herself organizing one for the first time in her career. “I want Nataliia to be recognized for her art and her resilience.”

Nataliia sometimes feels guilty for taking pleasure in her art when the population of Ukraine is suffering. She also worries about her children — the Kononovas have three adult sons still in the country, including one on the war’s front lines.

But she said a friend reminded her that all of Ukraine stands behind her. What’s more, she and her husband have realized their Canadian experience can be “useful” for Ukrainians.

“In Canada, we see a desire for a new synthesis of cultures,” she said. “And it is so important for there to be peace and harmony in the country. Maybe this exhibition is a struggle for peace. That is my message.”

The exhibition runs until Dec. 31 on the second floor of Carleton University’s MacOdrum Library.

lsaxberg@postmedia.com

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