Santiago’s Art Café in Botesdale welcomes esteemed Ukrainian artist

An art café is hosting an exhibition from a member of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine.

Helen Ball, manager of Santiago’s Art Café in Botesdale, is showcasing the work of Andriy Nekrasov.

The artist, who grew up in Kyiv and now lives in Stradbroke, was first inspired to paint by the landscape of his home country and the views of the Dnieper River.

Having moved to the UK with his family in September 2022, the painter, who works in oils, became the first artist in residence at Fullers Mill Garden in West Stow, near Bury St Edmunds, just under a year later.

The manager of the Market Place café said: “I first became aware of Andriy’s brilliant artwork when he was exhibiting at an art exhibition hosted at Stradbroke Church earlier this year.

“I just love the vibrancy of the colours and the light he creates. He weaves magic with his palette knife, capturing a sunset or a rainy day.

“When I laid his canvases out on the café tables, I just stopped and stared.

“My eyes drank in the light, vibrancy, colours, playfulness, moods and skill Andriy used.”

Most of the artist’s paintings in the exhibition are of the Diss and Botesdale area, but there are also some of the Suffolk coast.

Born into a military family, the 62-year-old has exhibited his work at places such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the country’s Government House and Supreme Court as well as solo exhibitions in London.

The Andriy Nekrasov Honoured Artist of Ukraine Exhibition will be showing at Santiago’s Art Café in Botesdale until November 3.