Awards and selections
Streams of Time — selected for the Open Art Competition 'Affection'
The painting "Streams of Time" by Yelena Bondarenko was selected for the Open Art Competition 'Affection'. It was one of 60 artworks chosen from no fewer than 500 submissions for the exhibition on 24 and 25 October 2026 at Kasteel De Campagne in Drongen.
About the work
Streams of Time (2026) is painted in texture and acrylic on linen. A light, white stream descends through the centre of the canvas, between two dark, richly textured areas in brown and moss green. The colours flow into one another and form a single whole.
The work is about merging: with nature, and between our inner and outer worlds. Just as the colours blend into one another, it is also about the connection between people. The bond with family, with loved ones and with our past is part of who we are. Everything is connected: what we feel, where we come from and the people who accompany us along the way.
The layers of texture catch the light and change with every glance. The canvas invites you to slow down for a moment and let yourself be carried by the flow.
About the competition
The Open Art Competition 'Affection' brought together artists from many disciplines: painting, photography, ceramics, mixed media, recup art, digital art, metal art, textile art and woodwork. That variety made the exhibition special. Each work showed in its own way what it means to be attached to something or someone.
Yelena Bondarenko wins the main prize of Artpoint Vlaanderen at Kasteel Borluut – 2025
At the Artpoint Vlaanderen group exhibition in the historic Kasteel Borluut in Ghent, Yelena Bondarenko made an impression with her collection. Her works, inspired by the power of nature and human emotion, combine abstraction and landscape in her own recognisable way.
The collection consisted of ten paintings, including Corfu, Serenity of the North Sea, Samsara, Music of Waterfall, Crimson Ridge of Autumn, Hidden Summit, The Silence of Infinity and Silent Enchantment. Each work tells its own story; together they earned Yelena the main prize of the exhibition.
Corfu
An ode to Greek landscapes. Dynamic blue-green forms, enriched with relief and accents of light, capture the essence of sunlight dancing on the Ionian Sea.
Serenity of the North Sea
Captures the calm of water and sky in soft shades of blue. Inspired by surfing and love, the work radiates a serene energy.
Samsara
A meditation on the cycle of life and rest. The circular composition in soft tones and relief symbolises eternal movement and the return to a calm centre.
Music of Waterfall
An expression of strength and freedom. Powerful blue and white vertical movements, combined with a tangible relief, depict the unstoppable energy of a waterfall.
Crimson Ridge of Autumn
Explores the tension between action and mystery. Deep red colours and rough textures clash with deep shadows, creating a landscape full of energy and contrast.
Hidden Summit
A subtle depiction of a mountain landscape in serene blues and greys. The quiet light reveals the contours of hidden peaks, strengthened by a layered relief.
The Silence of Infinity
A serene exploration of silence. Horizontal fields in midnight blue, crossed by silver shadows and a layered texture, create a deep, contemplative atmosphere reminiscent of moonlight on an endless landscape.
Silent Enchantment
Embodies the quiet magic of an autumn forest. Warm colours and organic textures create an atmosphere of calm and harmony. An ode to introspection.
Now in a private collection
Selection for the National Prize for Painting Louise Dehem – 2025
In 2025 Yelena Bondarenko took part in the selection for the tenth edition of the National Prize for Painting – Louise Dehem, organised by the city of Ypres (Ieper). This five-yearly prize supports artists working in painting. At the centre were Corfu, Samsara and Music of Waterfall: works in which nature, light and silence are rendered in layered compositions of texture and acrylic. With this, Yelena placed her work in a national context where tradition, innovation and talent come together.