Victoria Yakusha’s sculptural beings of the mythic 'Land of Light' elicit hope in the dark

Dovhovukh, Sontsehryv, Shvydkonih, and Neboshyj, are four fantastical creatures that can be found frolicking in the Land of Light. A new limited edition collection of sculptural art by Ukranian architect and designer, Victoria Yakusha, asks patrons to imagine a fantastical land, a place of hope, of belonging, a place where the horrific reality we are currently living through isn’t real. Fantasy, and especially stories of fantastical lands can become places of escape from the tragedies of the real world, offering a symbol, a wish to imagine otherwise as Yakusha’s mythical creatures show.

Talking about the thought that inspired the collection, Yakusha shares, "In moments when your world crumbled, and everything you built was falling apart, you realized that you could only rely on the light within yourself. Once you found even a glimmer of light within, it began to grow. When your inner light was full, you started illuminating the path for others. United, the Land of Light was born." The bulky artworks are meant to be spirit guides that help us navigate through darkness, with each creation possessing a unique superpower as the press release enlists. The artefacts, with their dinosaur-like forms, add a touch of whimsy to the every day through their contemporary design. Each sculptural design has a distinct scaly texture, handcrafted by Yakusha, and is made from ZTISTA—a fusion of cellulose, clay, flax fibre, wood chips, and biopolymer—showcasing a concern for craftsmanship and sustainable design through eco-friendly, 100% natural materials.

The abnormally large, scaly creatures meticulously crafted by Yakusha elicited particularly strong emotions when the collection debuted at Design Miami last December, as stated in the press release. Each mythical creature with its minimal design has its own backstory, emanating a ‘powerful energy’ which the visitors at the design festival responded to. Dovhovukh, 'The Long-Eared One' is a great listener and helps one hear oneself especially when it’s challenging. The ‘quick-legged one’ Shvydkonih prompts action, asking one to act swiftly and decisively when needed. Radiating joy through its sunlike form, Sontsehryv is the 'The Sun-Warming One', and lastly the long-necked Neboshyj sees beyond the clouds, guiding one to their dreams.

The collection is a testament to Yaksuha’s belief that design is rooted in the earth, and possesses a spirit of its own, and a story. It's no secret that stories hold mystical power by “allowing us to make sense of our lives, in allowing us to escape our lives, in giving us empathy and in creating the world that we live in,” as Neil Gaiman—perhaps the biggest advocate for stories as currencies of hope—writes. The collection by Yakusha banks on the hope that stories and fantasy can generate a physical presence in our everyday lives.