Anya Keyes is a Ukrainian-born artist whose journey from Soviet-era Ukraine to the United States at age sixteen has profoundly shaped her artistic vision. Earning a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, Keyes initially pursued a career in pharmacy before her passion for painting ultimately prevailed. In 2017, a move to Portland rekindled her artistic aspirations, marking a pivotal moment in her career.
This transition led to a flourishing creative period, during which she began collaborating with local artists and showcasing her work in both solo and group exhibitions. Her art has since captivated private collectors nationwide and earned a place in the City of Portland's public art collection.
Keyes' studio, shared with other female artists in Portland, serves as a hub for her creative endeavors. Her work, which blends elements of Ukrainian folklore with modern American imagery, has gained recognition beyond Portland, including a notable appearance at the Seattle Art Fair.
Deeply committed to her community, Keyes uses her art as a platform to amplify diverse voices and foster connections. She has contributed to her community by painting murals and regularly donates proceeds from her work to support causes close to her heart, including black health initiatives and Ukrainian charities.
Bio
The process of learning oneself over time is fraught and thorny, even in a steady world. Exploring myself—two decades in Ukraine, two in the United States, knowing hunger, knowing feast, love and sorrow—has at times felt less a moment of discovery than an endless tangle.
My paintings draw on experience as a first-generation immigrant, a foreign-born mother, friend, and citizen. A woman seemingly integrated into modern American life, yet who occasionally slips into her rural Slavic upbringing.
The figures in my portraits are not mirror images, but rather vessels carrying the weight of my introspection. They embody the myriad versions of myself. Each brushstroke questions the path not taken. Would the essence of my being remain unchanged had I never left Ukraine? Have I become the person I was destined to be?
These paintings serve as windows into the kaleidoscope of my identity, offering fleeting glimpses of a self in constant flux. Through them, I extend an invitation to viewers, urging them to embark on their own journey of self-exploration. In the end, these timescapes are not just about me, but about the universal struggle to reconcile the many facets of our ever-evolving selves.
Statement