Threads of resilience

After my November trip to Luoyang city, (which happened to be exactly during Mabon, the pagan Halloween), there were so many things I saw, experienced, heard about ancient China and Chinese history that inspired me, that I could probably write a book about just this one trip.

After I came back, I had to create a painting for China Daily exhibition that would highlight my inspiration, and I knew exactly what I was going to create: I visualized it, I loved that artwork and I created exactly what I imagined.

The story that touched my heart the most was the story of Wu Zetian, the only Empress of China. She ruled from 660 to 705 - in total 45 years! How incredible is that!

Under her 45-year reign, China grew larger, becoming one of the great powers of the world, its culture and economy were revitalized, and corruption in the court was reduced.

Empress Wu is considered one of the greatest emperors in Chinese history due to her strong leadership and effective governance, which made China one of the world's most powerful nations. She improved the educational system, supported Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism.

Wu was encouraged by her parents to read books and pursue her education, an uncommon situation for women at the time. She read and learned about many topics, such as music, calligraphy, literature, history, politics, and other governmental affairs. At age 14, she was taken to be an imperial concubine of Emperor Taizong of Tang.

What impressed me the most, and how I started learning about Wu Zetian-was a visit to Longmen Grottoes, where a Big Buddha is placed inside the mountain. This Buddha is associated with Empress Wu: when you get to the mountain, look into her eyes and you will eventually find all the answers you were looking for. She's that big accepting mother. That is how I witnessed Wu Zetian.

It is a miracle, a ray of light, an example from such long time ago, that we shall pursue our dreams and goals. If things are meant to happen, there will be nothing to stop us.

As a woman, coming from a different culture, I can only admire what I've learned. This story impacted me so much that after a really dark time in my life, I found the strength to come back to myself.

An empress of China gave me, a Ukrainian artist, strength, hope for the better future and motivation to never give up. I felt the strength to come back to my art, to my projects and to the things that make me me.

The three objects at the bottom are the first artifacts of the dragons found in Luoyang city. Different from what we know of dragons.

The round red and indigo petal Yin Yan I saw in the Porcelain Museum of Luoyang, this piece represents the balance of feminine and masculine that it's essential for us humans to embrace, especially when it comes to ruling the whole country. And I can imagine that Empress Wu nailed it.

The dress and the pose on the artwork were painted from my own photo: we changed into stunning hanfu dresses on our last day of the trip, and it felt amazing to walk around the ancient city in royal cloths. Through this choice I would like to highlight the never-ending connection in between all and everything-the past, the present, the different backgrounds. I felt powerful, and gracious and charming wearing my dress, having that mesmerizing hair style. I danced and it felt natural.

Embracing the universal power of synchronicity, precisely at the time when I finished the artwork, I received a gorgeous qipao with the very special pattern that is called "Tom Nyol" from Xafer Wear, a Cameroonian designer living in Shanghai, beautifully combining the depth of various cultures through the clothing pieces he creates.

The reminder of Tom Nyol pattern: Never give up.

The colors of the patterns on the qipao perfectly match the major colors on my painting.

Coincidence? I don't think so.

We connect on different levels much more, that we can imagine. The different past has the undeniable impact on the present, I am only happy to grasp it and enjoy the synergy of my existence with the history, with the living souls that show up on my path.

Tom Nyol to all of you.

I don't know what Wu Zetian looked like, she's a collective of my feelings, imagination and impression of her from everything I have learnt and found online.

I know for sure, she was the power.

Thank you, dear Empress Wu, for touching my heart and my soul.

The author is a visual artist from Ukraine. The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.

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