UKRAINE FUNDRAISER
16 November, 2022
Raised $25,500 for Ukraine - donations went to Unicef
Leon Stejko’s story is the story of a survivor, like so many of his fellow Ukrainians. Leon grew up in Kyiv, in the dark shadow of the Soviet Union. Leon completed his compulsory military training at 19, studied for a PhD in Material Science at Kyiv Polytechnic University and dreamed of escaping to build a better life.
Leon married and the young couple had a baby, born soon after the terrible 1986 Chernobyl nuclear power station disaster that rained toxic radiation over Kyiv and across eastern Europe. Sadly, their baby died within a few days of birth. Leon was angry with the way his family was treated following this trauma and was desperate to escape the nuclear fallout. The couple’s second child was born two years later and they were worried for her safety.
Leon worked hard to complete his PhD and was offered a perfect escape route out of the USSR, in the form of a visiting exchange position as Professor at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. The family packed up and moved to Rio, where Leon started teaching and learned Portuguese.
The KGB, who had been keeping tabs on him due to his knowledge around developments in military science, soon tried to recruit him into USSR foreign intelligence. Leon sensed the spector of the KGB over his shoulder everywhere he went. Again, he had to find a way to escape their reach.
Leon quickly realised that Material Science was not sought after in most countries. He made the brave decision to begin freelancing as a Magazine Illustrator and Designer, following his passion for Art. A personal pursuit that he had not been able to follow in the hostile environment of his homeland. He investigated options for work visas elsewhere and was offered a visa by New Zealand. Taking advantage of the 1991 collapse of the USSR, Leon moved his family to safety in New Zealand. There he learned to speak English and further developed his career as a Designer, Illustrator and Art Director.
Sadly, Leon’s marriage broke down. Despite the freedom and safety of NZ, Leon sought a new opportunity in Australia. Leon finally moved to Sydney in 2006 and he now happily calls Australia home. Leon lives on the Lower North Shore with Kiri, his Australian wife, and their two children, Tatiana and Julian.
Now, after witnessing the horrors of the Ukraine invasion in his homeland and closer to home, our collective struggles with COVID and isolation, Leon is ready to show his work to the world. Leon’s vibrant life tapestry shows in his Abstract Expressionist paintings. Each has a unique motivation and is the story of a survivor. Leon uses primary colours on contrasting backgrounds to create dynamic compositions of moving colours.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Leon’s love for his home country has become stronger. He’s devastated by what he’s seen unfold in his homeland; months of relentless atrocities and destruction he is powerless to stop.
Leon is proud of his people and their determination to protect their freedom. He is especially proud of their survival instinct, something he personally identifies with. Leon has chosen to use his art and his Ukrainian heritage to raise awareness of the dire situation in Ukraine. In this way, he can make a tangible contribution to his people.
Leon Stejko’s story is the story of a survivor, like so many of his fellow Ukrainians. Leon grew up in Kyiv, in the dark shadow of the Soviet Union. Leon completed his compulsory military training at 19, studied for a PhD in Material Science at Kyiv Polytechnic University and dreamed of escaping to build a better life.
Leon married and the young couple had a baby, born soon after the terrible 1986 Chernobyl nuclear power station disaster that rained toxic radiation over Kyiv and across eastern Europe. Sadly, their baby died within a few days of birth. Leon was angry with the way his family was treated following this trauma and was desperate to escape the nuclear fallout. The couple’s second child was born two years later and they were worried for her safety.
Leon worked hard to complete his PhD and was offered a perfect escape route out of the USSR, in the form of a visiting exchange position as Professor at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. The family packed up and moved to Rio, where Leon started teaching and learned Portuguese.
The KGB, who had been keeping tabs on him due to his knowledge around developments in military science, soon tried to recruit him into USSR foreign intelligence. Leon sensed the spector of the KGB over his shoulder everywhere he went. Again, he had to find a way to escape their reach.
Leon quickly realised that Material Science was not sought after in most countries. He made the brave decision to begin freelancing as a Magazine Illustrator and Designer, following his passion for art. A personal pursuit that he had not been able to follow in the hostile environment of his homeland. He investigated options for work visas elsewhere and was offered a visa by New Zealand. Taking advantage of the 1991 collapse of the USSR, Leon moved his family to safety in New Zealand. There he learned to speak English and further developed his career as a Designer, Illustrator and Art Director.
Sadly, after much stress, Leon’s marriage broke down. Despite its freedom and safety, Leon sought a new opportunity in Australia. Leon finally moved to Sydney in 2006 and he now happily calls Australia home. Leon lives on the Lower North Shore with Kiri, his Australian wife, and their two children, Tatiana and Julian.
Now, after witnessing the horrors of the Ukraine invasion in his homeland and closer to home, our collective struggles with COVID and isolation, Leon is ready to show his work to the world. Leon’s vibrant life tapestry shows in his Abstract Expressionist paintings. Each has a unique motivation and is the story of a survivor. Leon uses primary colours on contrasting backgrounds to create dynamic compositions of moving colours.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Leon’s love for his home country has become stronger. He’s devastated by what he’s seen unfold in his homeland; months of relentless atrocities and destruction he is powerless to stop. Leon is proud of his people and their determination to protect their freedom. He is especially proud of their survival instinct, something he personally identifies with. Leon has chosen to use his art and his Ukrainian heritage to raise awareness of the dire situation in Ukraine. In this way, he can make a tangible contribution to his people.