NEW YORK, NY.- The Ukrainian Institute of America will open an exhibit of mosaic icons created in the tradition of Byzantine masters. Fashioned from tiny bits of glass fit together to bring forth a divine image, the icons are created by Oksana Prokopenko, a Russian-Ukrainian artist, now living New York.

Oksana's work received new impetus and divine inspiration following the tragedy of September 11th. Oksana found a way to reassemble the shattered pieces of glass that fell out of the sky when the two World trade centers came crashing to the ground. Oksana was present in downtown Manhattan on the morning of 9-11 with her baby boy and through her fortitude and courageous insight was able to create strikingly beautiful artwork. As stunning as the collapse of the WTC’s was the stunning creation of these other worldly icons, each composed of hundreds and in some cases thousands of tiny pieces of colored glass.

Oksana is a rarity in today’s contemporary art scene. Her focus on detail is akin to that of artists that worked hundreds of years ago. Her works are mosaic icons – in step with the current interest in art from Russia and Eastern Europe. Often described as a colorist, her colors inspire the viewer to spiritual and emotional heights similar to those achieved by Prokopenko during her creative process. Her works have been recognized for their spiritual strength. They allow the viewer to glimpse behind the veil that shadows the divine and reveal the energy as displayed in human and worldly forms.