Ani Svami
Ani Svami / Anna Naduda
Multidisciplinary artist, specializing in sculptures, graphics, light installations, and public space designs. Ani's artwork reflects the complex relationships and synthesis of urbanism and organic forms, addressing site-specific issues and visually integrating molecular and bionic formations with contemporary urbanism.
Born in Kyiv in 1983, she graduated from the National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture of Ukraine in 2008 and completed a PhD in 2012. She is a recipient of several international grants, including the Institut Français d’Ukraine, the European Cultural Foundation, the Foundation for Development of Ukraine, and the British Council in Ukraine.
Ani participated in the Kinetica Art Fair in London in 2009. Her sculptural compositions were awarded gold and platinum medals at the RHS Malvern Spring Festival in Britain in 2018. She won Burning Man Global Art Grants in 2012 and 2017. Ani was a participant in the Ukrainian Sculpture PARK 3020 in the Lviv region in 2020 and erected the public sculpture “Bereginya” in Prague in 2022. She has been teaching at the University of New York in Prague since 2024.
Ani's artworks have been acquired for private collections in Ukraine, Austria, Sweden, France, the USA, Germany, Great Britain, Cyprus, Montenegro, Italy, Poland, and the Czech Republic.
“Nova” sculpture production proceses / 2021, Kyiv
Between nature and urbanism, between the concepts of human and plant domination, Ani grows her sculptures as living creatures with her own unique technology,
developed and refined over many years. Whether small or large, her sculptures are essentially monuments to the tree—the basis of life. They proclaim the endless power of nature, overcoming even death through new life.
“The Shell” ballpoint , paper 40x60 cm, 2014
Bereginya sculpture, 2022 / Prague
Public space sculpture “Bereginya” symbolizing an old Ukrainian archetype of Mother Protector is erected in Prague 7, on October 2022, as a residential work supported by Česká Centra. The sculpture recieved permanent insallation in Prague Thomajerova nemocnice at 2024
materials : metal, fiber- concrete, pigments. Size : 310 x 230 x 230 cm., Prague, Czech Republic
The core idea of sculpture “Bereginya” is rooted in the ancient symbol of Tree of Life, which holds deep significance in Ukrainian symbolism. Another key element is the traditional motanka doll, crafted from various textiles and filled with grain.These dolls were made in Ukrainian villages as a way to mask the presence of grain during times of severe artificial famine in 1932-1933, during Lenin’s regime. In these difficult times parents used the dolls to protect their children from hunger caused by communist policies. These ideas merge into the figure of Bereginya, representing a prayer for the protection of children suffering from effects of war in Ukraine.
The black elements in the sculpture - bombs with Lenin’s head crash into the body of the ancient Mother-Ukrainian Tree, symbolizing the pain and devastation brought by imperialist ideology. These bombs represent an attempt to poison and diminish Ukrainian culture, promoting the idea of cultural inferiority. However they ultimately destroy themselves because they cannot break the deep-rooted strength of Ukraine’s national identity. The roots of our culture are unshakable, and desire of freedom remains unbroken.
The Sprout sculpture , 2023/ Prague
The Sprout / 2023
Sculpture created site
specifically for private garden, Velke Bilovice, Czech Republic.
Materials : fiber - concrete, metal
size : 185 x 80 x 83 cm
terms : 2 month work,
no team
Nova sculpture, 2021 / Kyiv
The sculpture Nova stands as a multifractal symbol of eternal femininity, motherhood, and an unwavering desire for self-development, transcending the stereotypes that seek to impede a woman's journey. Location; Ukrainian House, European Square, Kyiv, 2021
Materials: tree branches, metal, natural fibres, concrete, pigments. Size: 370x250x270 cm.
Terms ( max extrem!): 4 months
Team: 12 people
Water Whirl, 2021 / Montenegro
A site-specific sculpture set within the natural landscape, where a stream flows from the mountains two or three times a year, winding through the lower part of the piece. Residency work, Montenegro, Morin
Materials: tree branches, metal, concrete, 290 x 105 x 120cm
Terms: 20 days, Team: 3 people
Light Lungs sculpture, 2020 / Kyiv National Botanical Garden
Sculpture was inspired by NGO “Lungs” and created for cost of private funds in the year of the most hard COVID times
size : 430 x 450 x 220 cm,
Kyiv, 2020
Materials: natural fibres, welded metal, concrete
Terms: 5 months,
Team: 10 people
The sculpture was first displayed at Mariinskyi Park in Kyiv during the international month for lung cancer awareness, then reinstalled at the National Botanical Garden as a symbol of unity between humanity and nature. It reminds us to honor both the plants within our bodies
and those around us.
Biomorph series, 2020 / Lviv
Biomorph series
Fibre concrete, metal
Ukraine, Lviv region,
Sculpture park “PARK3020” ,
Terms: 7 months
Team: 17 people
Biomorph is a series of three sculptures created as a symbol of the eternal connection between humanity and nature. This collection features the artist’s interpretation of bionic morphs based on world-renowned ancient figures. The sculptures include Laocoön (420 x 270 x 260 cm), Aphrodite (380 x 190 x 160 cm), and Atlantis (230 x 150 x 150 cm)
2020 Biomorph / Park 3020, Lviv region, Ukraine
The "New Bionic" series began development in 2012. It includes over 30 items. These sculptures are a tribute to plants, emphasizing branches, plastics, and trees in general as the life-giving channels of energy and air for all of us.
New Bionics / Post - urban romantics
The first sculptures of this series were made from office paper, which is the pulped flesh of trees that has passed through human civilization and was eventually discarded as unimportant trash. Ani began to collect office paper and combine it with real tree branches as a metaphorical act of uniting an element in its two radically different states.
"New Bionics / Post-Urban Romantics" is an interactive audiovisual installation showcased at the first Biennale Kyiv “Arsenale” in 2012, supported by Burning Man Global Art Grants. This project was a collaboration with French musicians and sound engineers DSCRD.
The concept behind the installation is that office paper, remembering
its origin as a plant, begins to vegetate and spread, symbolizing
a new, reborn life.
Waterplant / 2016 / Kyiv
Water Plant is a solar-powered sculpture that addresses topics such as river pollution, recycling, and ecology in general. The sculpture's base is made of metal salvaged from the Dnipro River, combined with wooden branches and light-accumulating pigment. This floating island sculpture, measuring 250x400x250 cm, was installed on the water in Kyiv in 2016.
KSP Kyiv Sculpture Project 2012, National Botanical Garden. Winner of the short list with sculpture “Rainbow Snake”
Metal, welding, paint
1500 x 600 x 340 cm.
Sculpture constructed with the architectural 3D modeling .
Crystallization / 2008-2011 years
Paris, Residency 6B installation 2011 / plastic 450x210x230 cm.
Rainbow Snake / 2012/ Kyiv
CRYSTALLIZATION Cycle�2008-2011, Kyiv and Paris
This series features large-scale objects and installations made of plastic tubes, designed for public spaces. The concept explores the idea of molecular interconnection.
Mirror Egg / Blue Fluffy / or Hug Me Just Now!!!
This interactive sculpture features visual illusions and mirror reflections. With three windows, it allows three visitors to interact simultaneously. Created in 2010, the sculpture has been exhibited at numerous events and shows. It embodies the idea of a parallel multiverse, posing unanswerable questions about identity and purpose. Currently located in Kyiv, the sculpture is seeking a final owner and an ideal indoor location. It is transportable, consisting of three parts with a fluffy exterior, and measures 230x180x180 cm.
Candytree 2016 / Dnipro city, Ukraine
Sculpture for children entertaining centre, commissioned by “Alef Group”
Stainless steel, hand painted polycarbonate, light. Size:530 x 280x 200 cm.
Wire sculptures for interior and outdoor, Original technique of hand weaving. Sculptures work perfectly with colour light, shadows and reflections. Available to order / easy installation/ light weight.
Wire sculptures 2009-2023
The Athlete
Wire sculpture, white powder
car paint,
colour light
Kyiv, 2019
220 x 130 x 85 cm
Sprouting project 2012, Kyiv
Wire Sculptures have an effect of visual kinetics and optical illusions, due to synergy of intersecting faces.
“Spring Sprouts”
Series of 3 City Sculptures,
Materials: metal, welding, paints, Kyiv, 2014 year
DEAR DRAGONS
This epic sculptural complex, made from over 12,000 children's plastic toys, addresses recycling and anti-consumerism. It serves as a museum of toys, featuring familiar items. Created between 2020 and 2022 and installed in 2024 despite heavy bombings in Kyiv, it is dedicated to all Ukrainian children suffering from the war.
Dear Dragons / 2020-2024 / Kyiv
Process of creation 2021 / Ktiv, Ukraine
Ready piece / 2024, Kyiv
Environment projects 2005 - 2014
Multimedia video installation, 2013 / Donetsk, Ukraine
Art centre IZOLYATSIA / exhibition “Meeting Place”
Drawing has always been a crucial practice for Ani, allowing her to express her concepts, capture visual impressions, and plan sculptural forms. Her years of printmaking at the Kyiv Academy of Arts have honed her skills in drawing, from creating delicate lines in copper etching to the bold precision of linocut engraving and the enchanting process of lithography.
Crystallization/ etching, print on taper and detail / 2011
A boy and the Plant / Mokulito, imprint and printing plate / 2018
The Human is a Plant / Mokulito / 2019
Incubation / etching / 2012
A night plant / etching/ 2011
Emergence from Chaos / series of drawings / ball-point / 2010
Diptych”Interpenetration” / 130x200 cm. each/ residency work, Paris
Ani is based in Prague after leaving her beloved deep cultural city of Kyiv due to russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. She is open to international projects, professional sculpture and graphics commissions, private orders and exhibitions.
Contact her for collaborations to bring an artistic
vision to your life and business.
Languages: English, Czech, Ukrainian, French
Contacts:
Telephon : +420 723 736 978
Mail: ani.svami7@gmail.com
FB, Insta : Ani Svami, anna_naduda
#anisvami, #anna_naduda