WE CAN DREAM AGAIN’ ARTWORK MIXED MEDIA, 200cm x 200cm
I am honoured to have been able to work with children at St Mary’s School in Art Therapy to help process some of their fears, traumas and separation anxiety. Our sessions focused on their hopes, dreams and ambitions to highlight the positives in their lives and the brightness that their futures will hold, rather than the darkness, deprivations and horror of the war that they have witnessed in Ukraine. I’m thrilled to be able to share this beautiful artwork that we created together on International Children’s Day, and champion the critical work St Mary’s School perform in supporting displaced Ukrainian children in the UK. ‘We Can Dream Again’, the motto of the school, symbolises the resilience of Ukrainian children and their enduring spirit of hope, which continues to thrive even in challenging times.
Through their drawings, they expressed their dreams for the future—some hope to become footballers, Olympic gymnasts, pop stars, or designers. However, their most heartfelt wish is for peace in Ukraine, to return to their pets, their homes, and to be reunited with their families. By arranging all the children’s artwork into a collage set against a backdrop of a blue planet with a yellow orb – colours representing the Ukrainian flag . This powerful piece unifies not only their individual aspirations but also their shared hope for a return to safety, normalcy, and childhood in Ukraine.
A Message from the Artist
“This project is very dear to me,” says artist Mariya Dykalo. “It’s not just a piece of art—it’s a way for these children to see their hopes reflected back at them every day, encouraging them and others to keep dreaming, no matter what.”
