MOMS

The Shevchenko Museum is proud to present MOMS, a solo exhibition of new works by Ukrainian-Canadian artist Nataliia Petrenko-Litvinova, opening at 6 p.m. on November 18, 2026.

This deeply personal series, rich in symbolism, explores the themes of motherhood, migration, and the interconnectedness of humans and the natural world. The MOMS series is allegorical; the theme of motherhood is explored through images of animals living in the Canadian wilderness. The animals seem to gaze at us from the paintings, vulnerable, open, and completely defenseless in the face of human actions.

The series touches on complex themes, including the often untold losses suffered by animals during wars initiated by humans. Through the lens of motherhood, Nataliia's work speaks to resilience, tenderness, and the instinctive need to protect life, whether human or animal, in times of upheaval.

Nataliia arrived in Canada with her child in 2022, fleeing the war in Ukraine; consequently, this subject matter holds deep personal significance for her.

Visitors will note the artist's unique technique: her distinctive application of oil paint and the expressive transitions between brushstrokes create painterly “waves” that radiate warmth, lending her work an allegorical, almost fairy-tale-like quality. It took the artist several years to develop this recognizable signature style.

Nataliia Petrenko-Litvinova is an accomplished painter, graphic artist, and designer whose career spans more than three decades. Born in Ukraine and trained at the National Academy of Arts of Ukraine, where she earned a Master's degree in Fine Arts, she has been a member of the Union of Artists of Ukraine since 1995 and, more recently, of the Ukrainian Association of Visual Artists of Canada.

Her work has been exhibited internationally and featured in more than 40 exhibitions across several countries, including solo shows in Giverny, France; Vienna and Stollhof, Austria; Edmonton, Canada; and Kyiv, Ukraine. Her paintings are held in private collections around the world. In addition to her studio practice, she is an active instructor, teaching painting and drawing.

Please join us on Wednesday, November 18 for the opening of MOMS and meet the artist who will be in attendance. The doors open at 5:00 pm and the program begins at 6 pm.

Shevchenko Museum, 1604 Bloor St. West, Toronto, Ontario