Varvara Uhlik

Sunshine, How Are You? is an exploration of childhood memories and the enduring impact of the Soviet era on one’s sense of identity.

“Born in Eastern Ukraine, five years after the collapse of the Soviet Union, I was often told I was fortunate to have missed the hardships of Soviet rule. However, as I grew older, I began grappling with a profound sense of disorientation and uncertainty about my identity, akin to the elusive sense of self experienced by Soviet citizens. Caught between the remnants of Soviet influence and my own evolving sense of ‘self,’ this project represents my process of emotional and cultural renewal in the face of a lingering past.”

The work explores how memories are preserved, distorted, and altered over time, serving both as an introspective reflection and as a portrayal of a generation coming of age in the post-Soviet world. While addressing generational trauma, it also reclaims Ukrainian identity from the shadows of Russian colonialism by acknowledging a beloved, yet Russified childhood.