No Rush, 2026

Kateryna Kostyk  

At the center of “No Rush" is a young woman sitting in the lotus position atop the shell of a giant snail. This impossible scene is created through the language of surrealism, where symbols reveal ideas that reality alone cannot fully express.

In this artwork, the snail becomes a symbol of people who choose mindfulness over speed. Its unhurried movement reminds us that the value of a journey is not measured by how fast we move, but by how true that pace feels to us. Sometimes, choosing not to rush requires the greatest inner strength.

The woman does not urge the snail forward. Instead, she embraces its rhythm as her own. Sitting in the lotus position, one of the most recognizable meditation postures in yoga, she embodies inner balance, mindfulness, and harmony. Her pose suggests that true strength is not always found in speed, but often in the ability to remain centered while life continues to move around us.

Flowing from her arms are long white aerial yoga silks. These are not merely pieces of fabric but symbolic elements inspired by aerial yoga, a practice that combines movement, balance, trust, and inner awareness. Although they drift freely through the air, they also quietly reveal that the snail is moving. Even at its slowest pace, motion creates a gentle breeze. The silks become a subtle reminder that slowness is not the absence of movement—it is simply movement experienced differently.

A bonsai tree accompanies the composition as another symbolic element. A bonsai is not defined by its size but by the years of patience, care, and mindful cultivation that allow it to flourish. It represents harmony, balance, resilience, and the understanding that meaningful growth cannot be rushed. Like the snail, it reminds us that time is not an obstacle but an essential part of becoming.

A defining feature of the At My Own Pace series is the use of color accents emerging within predominantly monochrome compositions. In this artwork, the bonsai is rendered in vibrant green. Green has long been associated with tranquility, balance, renewal, healing, and a deep connection with nature. Psychologically, it evokes calmness and emotional stability, reinforcing the artwork's message that peace can be found when we allow ourselves to move at a pace that feels authentic.

Although surreal in form, this artwork is rooted in observation of real people. The characters in my series are not fictional—they exist all around us. They are people who choose not to measure their lives by speed, but by presence. They remind us that living slowly does not mean standing still.

“No Rush" is a tribute to those who have found the courage to move through life without constantly racing against time. This artwork does not encourage people to slow down—it simply reminds us that every rhythm of life deserves equal respect, as long as it allows us to remain true to ourselves.

And ultimately, it leaves the viewer with a simple question that lingers long after the artwork has been seen:

“Is this my pace?"

At My Own Pace Series

This series explores people and the different rhythms in which they live. Each painting investigates a distinct way of experiencing life, reminding us that there is no right or wrong tempo. Some people are drawn to constant motion, while others find comfort in slowness and stillness. Every rhythm carries its own beauty, value, and strength.

The At My Own Pace series is created to help viewers recognize themselves within the works. In these paintings, the main character is not the depicted figure, but the viewer themselves. Through symbolic animal imagery, I explore human rhythms of life without judgment or hierarchy. There is no universally correct way to live — only a personal pace in which a person feels aligned with themselves.